Honorary Emeritus Fellow
PhD
Ursula Kees retired as head of Leukaemia and Cancer Genetics in early 2018.
Professor Kees was one of the founding research leaders of the Telethon Institute, establishing the Division of Leukaemia and Cancer Research in 1990.
Prior to this, the Swiss-born scientist was recruited from the German Cancer Research Centre in 1984 to head up the Children's Leukaemia & Cancer Research Laboratory at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Focusing on molecular genetic markers which lead to cancers in children, Professor Kees' team has developed unique methods to diagnose different cancers in collaborative studies with hospital patients and oncologists and a number of overseas groups.
Professor Kees holds an Adjunct Professorship at The University of Western Australia and is a Consultant, Department Haematology/Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children.
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Publications
January 2023
Preclinical efficacy of azacitidine and venetoclax for infant KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia reveals a new therapeutic strategy
Infants with KMT2A-rearranged B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a dismal prognosis. Survival outcomes have remained static in recent decades despite treatment intensification and novel therapies are urgently required.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational Research Computational Biology Translational Genomics in LeukaemiaApril 2021Preclinical Evaluation of Carfilzomib for Infant KMT2A-Rearranged Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Infants with KMT2A-rearranged B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have poor outcomes. There is an urgent need to identify novel agents to improve survival. Proteasome inhibition has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for several hematological malignancies. The aim of this study was to determine the preclinical efficacy of the selective proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib, for infants with KMT2A-rearranged ALL.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchNovember 2021The bone marrow microenvironment of pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia at single-cell resolution
The bone marrow microenvironment plays a key role in leukemia progression, but its molecular complexity in pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), the most common cancer in children, remains poorly understood. To gain further insight, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the kinetics of the murine BMM during B-ALL progression.
Children's Cancers Published research Academic Biostatistics Leukaemia Translational Research Systems VaccinologyJune 2021Incidence of NUT carcinoma in Western Australia from 1989 to 2014: a review of pediatric and adolescent cases from Perth Children’s Hospital
NUT carcinoma (NC), previously known as NUT midline carcinoma, is a rare and very aggressive cancer that occurs in both children and adults. NC is largely chemoresistant, with an overall survival of less than 7 months. Because the carcinoma is not restricted to a particular organ, diagnosis is often a challenge. In the absence of a clearly determined incidence for NC, we sought to study the diagnosis of patients in a well-defined population.
Published researchApril 2021Preclinical Evaluation of Carfilzomib for Infant KMT2A-Rearranged Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Infants with KMT2A-rearranged B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have poor outcomes. There is an urgent need to identify novel agents to improve survival. Proteasome inhibition has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for several hematological malignancies. The aim of this study was to determine the preclinical efficacy of the selective proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib, for infants with KMT2A-rearranged ALL.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational Research Subsite: Cancer Translational Genomics in LeukaemiaApril 2021Exploiting the reactive oxygen species imbalance in high-risk paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia through auranofin
The prognosis for high-risk childhood acute leukaemias remains dismal and established treatment protocols often cause long-term side effects in survivors. This study aims to identify more effective and safer therapeutics for these patients.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchNovember 2020The bone marrow microenvironment of pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia at single-cell resolution
The bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) plays a key role in leukemia progression, but its molecular complexity in pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), the most common cancer in children, remains poorly understood. To gain further insight, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the kinetics of the murine BMM during B-ALL progression.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational Research Subsite: Cancer Translational Genomics in LeukaemiaJune 2020Effective targeting of NAMPT in patient-derived xenograft models of high-risk pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Our study provides evidence that OT-82 is a promising new therapeutic strategy for a broad spectrum of high-risk pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchApril 2020Potent antileukemic activity of curaxin CBL0137 against MLL-rearranged leukemia
The aim of our study was to investigate whether CBL0137 has potential as a therapeutic and chemopotentiating compound in MLL-r leukemia
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJuly 2019Romidepsin enhances the efficacy of cytarabine in vivo, revealing HDAC inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia
In this study, we investigate the in vivo synergy between romidepsin and cytarabine
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational Research Translational Genomics in LeukaemiaMay 2019novel small molecule that kills a subset of MLL-rearranged leukemia cells by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction
This study thus identified a novel small molecule that rapidly kills MLL-rearranged leukemia cells by targeting a metabolic vulnerability
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchNovember 2018New therapeutic opportunities from dissecting the pre-B leukemia bone marrow microenvironment
We provide evidence that targeting leukemia-induced bone loss is a therapeutic strategy for pre-B ALL
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchDecember 2017Molecular-genetic profiling and high-throughput in vitro drug screening in NUT midline carcinoma-An aggressive and fatal disease
Our data emphasize the heterogeneity of NMC and highlights genetic aberrations that could be explored to improve therapeutic strategies.
Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJanuary 2017Systematic chemical and molecular profiling of MLL-rearranged infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia reveals efficacy of romidepsin
Identified romidepsin as a promising therapeutic for mixed lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Children's Cancers Published research Academic Biostatistics Leukaemia Translational Research Computational BiologySeptember 2016Silencing of GATA3 defines a novel stem cell-like subgroup of ETP-ALL
GATA3low ETP-ALL is a novel stem cell-like leukemia with implications for the use of myeloid-derived therapies
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchSeptember 2016High expression of connective tissue growth factor accelerates dissemination of leukaemia
Functional role of CTGF in altering disease progression in a lymphoid malignancy
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchAugust 2016Heterogeneity in mechanisms of emergent resistance in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Biological changes associated with T-ALL relapse and resistance are stochastic and highly individual
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJune 2016CCI-007, a novel small molecule with cytotoxic activity against infant leukemia with MLL rearrangements
Identified CCI-007 as a novel small molecule that displays rapid toxicity towards a subset of MLL-r, CALM-AF10 and SET-NUP214 leukemia cell lines
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJanuary 2016Systematic chemical and molecular profiling of MLL-rearranged infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia reveals efficacy of romidepsin
Present a valuable resource for drug discovery and have identified ROM as a promising therapeutic for MLL-rearranged iALL
Published research Leukaemia Translational Research Computational BiologyNovember 2015A novel BRD4-NUT fusion in an undifferentiated sinonasal tumor highlights alternative splicing as a contributing oncogenic factor in NUT midline carcinoma
In this study, we report the case of an adolescent NMC patient presenting with severe facial pain, proptosis and visual impairment due to a mass arising from...
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchMay 2015Novel CT domain-encoding splice forms of CTGF/CCN2 are expressed in B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) has been shown previously to be aberrantly expressed in a high proportion of paediatric precursor B cell acute...
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchMay 2015The role of CCN family genes in haematological malignancies
Haematological malignancies, although a broad range of specific disease types, continue to show considerable overlap in classification, and patients are...
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchFebruary 2015Rare childhood cancers—an increasing entity requiring the need for global consensus and collaboration
Rare childhood cancers have not benefited to the same extent from the gains that have been made for their frequently occurring counterparts.
Children's Cancers Published research Brain Tumour Research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJanuary 2015Effective targeting of the P53-MDM2 axis in preclinical models of infant MLL-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
This study describes the development and molecular characterization of a panel of patient-derived infant leukemia oncogene xenografts and their sensitivity...
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJanuary 2015Aberrant expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A (ALDH1A) subfamily genes in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a common feature of T-lineage tumours
The class 1A aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1A) subfamily of genes encode enzymes that function at the apex of the retinoic acid (RA) signalling pathway.
Children's Cancers Published research Academic Biostatistics Leukaemia Translational ResearchNovember 2014Gene Expression Analyses of the Spatio-Temporal Relationships of Human Medulloblastoma Subgroups during Early Human Neurogenesis
Medulloblastoma is the most common form of malignant paediatric brain tumour and is the leading cause of childhood cancer related mortality.
Children's Cancers Published research Brain Tumour Research Leukaemia Translational ResearchOctober 2014Germ-line and somatic DICER1 mutations in pineoblastoma
This study suggests that germ-line DICER1 mutations make a clinically significant contribution to PinB, establishing DICER1 as an important susceptibility...
Children's Cancers Published research Brain Tumour Research Leukaemia Translational ResearchAugust 2014A pre-clinical model of resistance to induction therapy in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Relapse and acquired drug resistance in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) remains a significant clinical problem.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchMay 2014Deregulated expression of connective tissue growth factor is linked to poor outcome in human cancer
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) has long been associated with human cancers. The role it plays in these neoplasms is diverse and tumour specific.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchApril 2014Connective tissue growth factor is expressed in bone marrow stromal cells and promotes interleukin-7-dependent B lymphopoiesis
Hematopoiesis occurs in a complex bone marrow microenvironment in which bone marrow stromal cells provide critical support to the process through direct cell...
Children's Cancers Published research Pregnancy and Early Life Immunology Leukaemia Translational ResearchApril 2014The evolution of clinical trials for infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Despite initial improvements in survival of infants with ALL since establishment of the first pediatric cooperative group ALL trials, the poor outcome has...
Children's Cancers Published research Brain Tumour Research Leukaemia Translational ResearchFebruary 2014Comparative drug screening in NUT midline carcinoma
The NUT midline carcinoma (NMC) is a rare but fatal cancer for which systematic testing of therapy options has never been performed.
Children's Cancers Published research Brain Tumour Research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJanuary 2014Bioenergetic modulation overcomes glucocorticoid resistance in T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Drug-resistant forms of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are a leading cause of death from disease in children.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchAugust 2013Hypomethylation of the CTGF gene locus is a common feature of paediatric pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
We identified consistent hypomethylation of the CTGF locus in primary pre-B ALL specimens regardless of CTGF expression.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchMay 2013Drug-gene modeling in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia highlights importance of 6-mercaptopurine for outcome
This study advances our understanding of drug resistance in T-ALL and provides new markers for patient stratification.
Published research Academic Biostatistics Leukaemia Translational ResearchNovember 2012Novel BRD4-NUT fusion isoforms increase the pathogenic complexity in NUT midline carcinoma
This study contributes to our understanding of the genetic diversity of NMC, an important step towards finding therapeutic targets for a disease that is...
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchSeptember 2012Molecular characterization of identical, novel MLL-EPS15 translocation and individual genomic
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) occurring in the first year of life is rare.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJuly 2012Fusionfinder: A software tool to identify expressed gene fusion candidates from RNA-seq data
The hallmarks of many haematological malignancies and solid tumours are chromosomal translocations, which may lead to gene fusions.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchMarch 2012Interactions between acute lymphoblastic leukemia and bone marrow stromal cells influence response to therapy
To identify links between drug resistance and gene deregulation we used oligonucleotide microarray technology.
Children's Cancers Published research Brain Tumour Research Leukaemia Translational ResearchFebruary 2012MYCN sensitizes neuroblastoma to the MDM2-p53 antagonists Nutlin-3 and MI-63
We hypothesized that reactivation of p53 by inhibition of its negative regulator will result in p53-mediated growth arrest and apoptosis.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJanuary 2012Pre-natal, clonal origin of t(1;11)(p32;q23) acute lymphoblastic leukemia in monozygotic twins
Investigation of this rare mixed lineage leukemia cytogenetic abnormality aims to provide further evidence of the genetic changes that underpin this leukemia.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchSeptember 2011Interactions between acute lymphoblastic leukemia and bone marrow stromal cells influence response to therapy
The cure rate for pediatric patients with B precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) is steadily improving, however relapses do occur despite...
Children's Cancers Published research Brain Tumour Research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJune 2011Novel non-TCR chromosome translocations t(3;11)(q25;p13) and t(X;11)(q25;p13) activating LMO2
In T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cytogenetic alterations juxtapose the LIM-domain-only-2 gene (LMO2) with T-cell receptor loci.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchOctober 2010Influence of wild-type MLL on glucocorticoid sensitivity and response to DNA-damage in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Rearrangement of the mixed-lineage leukemia gene (MLL) is found in 80% of infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is associated with poor prognosis and re
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJune 2010Silencing of TESTIN by dense biallelic promoter methylation
Aberrant promoter DNA methylation has been reported in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and has the potential to contribute to its onset and outcome
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchMay 2010Gene-based outcome prediction in multiple cohorts of pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Children's Oncology Group study
Continuous complete clinical remission in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is now approaching 80% due to the implementation of aggressive...
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchApril 2010Effective adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into neural stem cells derived from human embryonic stem cells
Human embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem cells (hESC-NSCs) are an attractive cell type for studying
Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchApril 2010Validation of a mouse xenograft model system for gene expression analysis of human acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Pre-clinical models that effectively recapitulate human disease are critical for expanding our knowledge of cancer biology and drug resistance mechanisms.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchMarch 2010MEIS proteins as partners of the TLX1/HOX11 oncoprotein
Aberrant expression of the TLX1/HOX11 proto-oncogene is associated with a significant subset of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias...
Children's Cancers Published research Brain Tumour Research Leukaemia Translational ResearchJune 2009Glucocorticoid resistance in T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is associated with a proliferative metabolism
We examined the baseline profile of a panel of T-ALL cell lines to determine factors that contribute to GC resistance without prior drug selection.
Children's Cancers Published research Leukaemia Translational ResearchFebruary 2009Receptor mutation is not a common mechanism of naturally occurring glucocorticoid resistance in leukaemia cell lines
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are among the most important drugs for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
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