Dr Jerry Hancock

Current Post  Research Fellow, Department of Pathology and Micorbiology, University of Bristol, (appointed April 2002).

Qualifications BSc (Hons) (Cardiff), PhD (Bristol).

Research Interests: My principle research interest centres on the analysis of minimal residual disease in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia through my role as Scientific Co-ordinator of the UKMRD Laboratory Network.

The current MRC trial for children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL2003) uses molecular MRD analysis to risk stratify patients. This national prospective randomised trial for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is testing whether MRD-based risk stratification allows delivery of optimal therapy with minimal toxicity.

This work is funded by the Leukaemia Research Fund (LRF) and is being undertaken in four laboratories within the UK (Bristol, Barts, Glasgow and Sheffield) by a team of scientists and technicians who represent the UKMRD laboratory network . Work in the Bristol MRD laboratory is performed with my colleagues Dr Nigel Wood and Mr Paul Archer.

Flow cytometry offers an alternative methodology for analysis of MRD in childhood ALL. During 2001, I was a visiting scientist at Dr Dario Campana’s Research Laboratory, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, where in conjunction with Paul Virgo. I learnt the techniques required for flow cytometric analysis of MRD. Paul has subsequently established this technology within his diagnostic laboratory. Paul and I are currently involved in the development of a network of laboratories performing flow cytometric analysis of MRD. This network of laboratories will operate in an identical manual to those laboratories with the UKMRD molecular MRD network where the aim is to investigate whether flow cytometric MRD analysis can improve on the applicability of molecular MRD analysis in childhood ALL.

I am also involved in the establishment of the UKCCSG and CLWP Children’s Tumour and Leukaemia Bank. This LRF funded Cell Bank, aims to use the skills and logistical strengths of the UKMRD network laboratories to establish, with appropriate consent, a national network of stored tissue samples from children with cancer and leukaemia suitable for use in biological research projects that aim to improve understanding and treatment of childhood cancer.

I also have an active interest in the design and functionality of laboratory information management systems through my continuing collaboration with Dr Graham Law from the Leukaemia Research Epidemiology and Genetics Unit, University of York.

I am a member of the LRF/CLWP Childhood Leukaemia Cell Bank Steering Committee.

I am a founder member of the following LRF and European LeukemiaNet sponsored study groups:

Recent Publications:

Hancock, J.P., Goulden, N.J., Oakhill A. & Steward, C.G. (2003). Quantitative analysis of chimerism after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation using immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent microsatellite PCR. Leukemia, 17 (1), 247-251.

Moppett J., van der Velden V.H., Wijkhuijs A.J., Hancock J.P., van Dongen J.J., Goulden N.J. (2003). Inhibition affecting RQ-PCR-based assessment of minimal residual disease in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: reversal by addition of bovine serum albumin. Leukemia, 17 (1), 268-270.

Krejci O., van der Velden V.H., Bader P., Kreyenberg H., Goulden N., Hancock J., Schilham M.W., Lankester A., Revesz T., Klingebiel T., van Dongen J.J. (2003). Level of minimal residual disease prior to haematopoietic stem cell transplantation predicts prognosis in paediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a report of the Pre-BMT MRD Study Group. Bone Marrow Transplantation, 32 (8): 849-51.

Bader P., Hancock J., Kreyenberg H., Goulden N.J., et al (2002). Minimal residual disease (MRD) status prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a powerful predictor for post-transplant outcome in children with ALL. Leukemia, 16 (9), 1668-72.

Knechtli, C.J., Goulden, N.J., Hancock, J.P., et al (1998). Minimal residual disease status before allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is an important determinant of successful outcome for children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood, 92, 4072-4079.

Knechtli, C.J., Goulden, N.J., Hancock, J.P., et al (1998). Minimal residual disease status as a predictor of relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. British Journal of Haematology, 102, 860-871.

Goulden, N.J., Knechtli, C.J., Garland, R.J., Langlands, K., Hancock, J.P., et al (1998). Minimal residual disease analysis for the prediction of relapse in children with standard-risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. British Journal of Haematology, 100, 235-244.

Hancock, J.P., Burgess, M.F., Goulden, N.J., et al (1997). Same-day determination of chimaeric status in the immediate period following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. British Journal of Haematology, 99, 403-409.