CURRICULUM VITAE of Dr Ruth Lilian Spearing
MB ChB University of Bristol, UK 1977
Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians 1978
Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia 1979
Member of the Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand
Member of the British Society for Haematology
Member of the Australian and New Zealand Leukaemia and Lymphoma Study
Group
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Present Position:
Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Otago
Honorary Teaching Fellowship, University of Coventry
Consultant Haematologist, Christchurch with the role of Lead Clinician for
Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer patients in Canterbury
Previous Employment History:
1989 - Present
Consultant Haematologist, Christchurch Hospital
1998 - 2004
Clinical Director, Haematology, Christchurch Hospital
1987- 1989
Acting Director of the Regional Canterbury and Westland
Blood
1984 - 1987
Senior Registrar in Haematology, (part-time) Liverpool Royal
Infirmary and Alder Hey Hospital UK, with particular interest in Adolescent and
Young Adults
1983 - 1984
Registrar in Haematology (part-time) Plymouth General
Hospital
1981 - 1983
Registrar in Internal Medicine/Haematology (part-time) Dunedin
Hospital
1978 - 1981
Registrar in Internal Medicine Christchurch Hospital
1977 - 1978
House Surgeon, Pre-registration year- Christchurch Hospital,
NZ and Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK
1971- 1977
Medical student Bristol –MRC scholarship to Sri Lanka to
undertake elective project
1970- 1971
Primary School Teaching, Papua New Guinea (Voluntary
Service Overseas)
GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:
2013 - Present
NZMA BOARD MEMBER AND 2015 NZMA TREASURER
2003 - Present
Member of Clinical Board of Canterbury District Health Board
(at present one of 2 elected senior medical staff members)
2012 - Feb 2015 Deputy Chair of the Clinical Board of Canterbury District Health
Board
2003 - Present
Chair of the Canterbury Hospitals’ Medical Staff Association
2002 -2003
Treasurer of the Canterbury Hospitals’ Medical Staff
Association
2001 -2002
Member of the Executive of the Canterbury Hospitals’ Medical
Staff Association
2012 - Present
Co-Chair of the Canterbury District Health Boards Alcohol
Harm Minimisation Committee
2008 - 2012
Member of the Clinical Information Systems Governance group
and Clinical Champion for “Electronic-sign off” and
“Combining Community Results with Hospital Electronic
System” projects
2004 - Present
Convenor of the Canterbury Hospital’s Grand Rounds
1998 - 2004
Clinical Director, Clinical Haematology Christchurch Hospital
MINISTRY OF HEALTH GOVERNANACE AND NATIONAL COMMITTEE
POSITIONS:
2014-Present
Member of the Governance Group of the National Adolescent
and Young Adult Cancer Network
2012-2013
Co-chair of the Ministry of Health Adolescent and Young
Adult Cancer Working Group
2005-2008
Member of the Adolescent Cancer Sub-committee of the New
Zealand Cancer Treatment Working Party
2001-2008 Member of the New Zealand Cancer Treatment Working Party
2000-2001 Member of the New Zealand Haematology Advisory Committee
2003-2008
Chairman of the IT subcommittee of the New Zealand Cancer
Treatment Working Party, member from 2002
2008-2010 Member of the National Cancer Management Database Advisory Group
2005-2007 Member of National Cancer Information Work Programme (NCIWP)
Advisory Group
NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS:
2008 - Present
Chair of Board of Trustees of the Ruth Spearing Cancer
Research Trust
1996 - 2004
Chair of the Health Professional Committee of the Canterbury /
Westland Division of Child Cancer Foundation and
committee
member 1992-2004
1995 – 2000
Board Member of Leukaemia and Blood Foundation and 1998 –
2000 Chair of Board of Trustees of Leukaemia and Blood Foundation
1995 - 1996
Member of the Canterbury Divisional Disciplinary Committee of
the New Zealand Medical Association
1989 – 1993
Chair of the Canterbury Regional Blood Transfusion Society
COLLEGE RESPONSIBILITIES:
2004
Examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
2007-2012
Chair of the Joint New Zealand Specialist Advisory Committee
for Higher Training in Haematology, Royal Australasian College of Physicians/
College of Pathologists and committee member 1998-2007
2004-2008
Coordinator of Supervisors workshops for the Royal
Australasian College of Physicians
CONFERENCE ORGANIZING:
2011 University of Otago Inaugural Cancer Conference, Wellington - Member of
Faculty and coordinated industry sponsorship
2003 Annual Scientific meeting of the Haematology Society of Australia and
New Zealand, Auckland, - Member of the organizing committee
2000 NZ branch meeting of the Haematology Society of Australia and New
Zealand, Queenstown, - Chief Conference Organizer
1996Australian and New Zealand Children’s Cancer Study Group Conference,
Queenstown, - Chief Conference Organizer
PHARMAC COMMITTEES:
1995-1996
1996-2013
Member of the Gaucher’s Advisory Panel
Member of the Ceredase Treatment Panel and Chair 19962000 and 2002-2005
PHARMACEUTIC INDUSTRY ADVISORY GROUPS
2010 - present
Member of the Zealand Advisory group on Paroxysmal
Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria to Alexion Pharmaceuticals
2007- present
New Zealand Advisory group to Celgene, Chair of Advisory
Group 2014-15
PUBLICATIONS:
1. Rebecca Stewart, Manidipa Das, Michael Ardagh, Joanne M Deely, Stuart
Dodd, Nadia Bartholomew, Scott Pearson, Ruth Spearing, Tracey Williams,
Martin Than. The impact of alcohol-related presentations on a New
Zealand hospital emergency department. NZMJ 2014;127:23-39.
2. Manidipa Das, Rebecca Stewart, Michael Ardagh, Joanne M Deely, Stuart
Dodd Patterns and sources of alcohol consumption preceding alcoholaffected attendances to a New Zealand hospital emergency department
NZMJ 2014;127.
3. Fludarabine Melphalan reduced-intensity conditioning allotransplanation
provides similar disease control in lymphoid and myeloid malignancies:
analysis of 344 patientsA Bryant, I Nivison-Smith, E S Pillai, G Kennedy, A
Kalff, D Ritchie, B George, M Hertzberg, S Patil, A Spencer, K Fay, P
Cannell, L Berkahn, R Doocey, R Spearing and J Moore. Bone Marrow
Transplantation 2014;49:17-23
4. Surgenor LJ, Spearing RL, Horn J,. Beautrais AL, Mulder RT, Chen P.
Burnout in hospital-based medical consultants in the New Zealand public
health system. NZ Medical Journal, 7th Aug 2009
http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/index.shtml Also published in NZMJ Digest
2009;16:16-19.
5. Ganly PS, Keenan H, Spearing RL, Smith MP, Patton N, Merriman EG and
Gibbons SS. Written advice can provide a safe and acceptable alternative to a
new patient assessment for selected referrals to haematologists. Med J Aust
2008;188(1):9-11.
6. Wilson C, Spearing RL, Teague RL, Robertson P, Blacklock H. The
outcome of clinical parameters in adults with severe Type I Gaucher
disease using very low dose enzyme replacement therapy. Molecular
Genetics and Metabolism, 2007;92:131-136.
7. Ganly P, Spearing RL. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin is not a
panacea but should be limited to those who can benefit. Editorial. New
Zealand
Medical
Journal
2006;
119:
1246.
URL:
http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/119/: 1246
8. Brune M, Castaigne , Catalano J, Gehlsen K, Ho A, Hofmann W, Dogge et
al.
Improved
Leukaemia-free
survival
after
post-consolidation
immunotherapy with histamine dihydrochloride and interleukin-2 in acute
myeloid leukaemia: results of a randomised phase III trial. Blood 2006; 108:
88-96.
9. Nieto Y, Patton N, Hawkings T, Spearing RL, Bearman SI, Rabinovitch R et
al,. Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate Mofetil after non-myeloablative matched
sibling donor allogeneic stem cell transplants conditioned with Fludarabine
and low dose total body irradiation.
Blood and Bone Marrow
Transplantation. 2006; 12: 217-225.
10. Chambers S, Sanders J, Patton N, Ganly P, Birch M, Crump J et al.
Reduction of intravascular catheter exit site infections among neutropenic
patients by sustained release chlorhexidine dressings: results from a
prospective randomised controlled trial. Journal of Hospital Infection
2005;61:53-61.
11. L Chee, RL Spearing, C Morris, M McDonald, V Hanrahan, A Ebbett, R
Scott, C Florkowski, T Walmsley and WN Patton. Acquired myelomaassociated Type III hyperlipidaemia treated by nonmyeloablative HLAidentical sibling allogeneic stem cell transplant using a donor with
essential thrombocythaemia (ET):
Evidence of engraftment without
manifestation of ET in recipient. Bone Marrow Transplantation (letter) 2005;
35: 1213-1214.
12. Hidajat R, McLay JL, Goode DH, Spearing RL. ‘Documenta
Ophthalmologica’ EOG as a Monitor of Desferrioxamine Retinal Toxicity.
2004; 109 (3): 273-278.
13. Ganly P, McDonald M, Morris C, Spearing Rl. Constitutional t(5;7)(q11;p15)
rearranged to acquire monosomy 7q and trisomy 1q in a patient with MDS
transforming to AML. Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics 2004; 149(2): 125130.
14. Maghzal G, Brennan S, Fellowes A, Spearing RL, George P. Familial
hypofibrinogenaemia associated with heterozygous substitution of a
conserved arginine residue; Beta 255 Arg→His (Fibrinogen Merivale).
Biochem Biophys Acta 2003; 1645: 146-151.
15. Hughes M, Davis FM, Mark S, Spearing RL. Hyperbaric Oxygen for
Cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis (letter). British Journal of Haematology
2002; 119: 575.
16. Walker LC, Stevens J, Campbell H, Corbett R, Spearing RL, Heaton DC et
al, A novel inherited mutation of the transcription factor RUNX1 causes
thrombocytopenia and may predispose to acute myeloid leukaemia. British
Journal of Haematology 2002; 117: 878-881.
17. Beard MEJ, Potter HC, Spearing RL, Brennan SO. Haemoglobin PierreBenite, a high affinity variant associated with relative polycythaemia. Clinical
and Laboratory Haematology 2001; 23: 407-409.
18. Drummond MW, Spearing RL. Arterial thrombosis. GM-CSF and lupus
anticoagulant (letter). American Journal of Haematology 2000; 64 (2): 143.
19. Stevens JM, Patton WN, Heaton DC, Spearing RL, Shaw G, Bowie D etal,
Autologous PBSCT in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (letter). Bone Marrow
Transplantation 2000; 26 (5): 588-589.
20. Snowden JA, Hill GR, Hunt P, Carnoutsos S, Spearing RL, Espiner E et al.
Assessment of cardiotoxicity during Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
with Plasma Brain Natiuretic Peptide. Bone Marrow Transplantation 2000; 26
(3): 309-313.
21. Llewellyn L, Morris C, Stanworth S, Spearing RL. and Heaton DC. Trisomy 10
in acute myeloid leukaemia: Three new cases.Cancer Genetics &
Cytogenetics 2000. 118 (2): 148-50.
22. Scott WG, Scott HM, Henderson S, Inder A, Sanders J, Spearing RL, et al.
Cost comparison of Antibacterial Therapies for Serious Infections. A New
Zealand 3-Hospital Study. Pharmaeconomics 1999; 16(2): 183- 192.
23. Vuckovic S, Fearnley DB, Gunningham S, Spearing RL, Patton WN, DNJ Hart.
Dendritic cells in chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia.British Journal of
Haematology 1999; 105: 974-985.
24. Wickramasinghe SN, Spearing RL, Hill GR. Congenital dyserythropoiesis
with intererythroblastic chromatin bridges and ultrastructurally- normal
erythroblast heterochromatin: a new disorder.
British Journal of
Haematology 1998; 103: 831-834.
25. Snowden JA, Hutchings M, Spearing RL, Patton WN. Acquired high titre
Factor VIII inhibitor with underlying polyarteritis nodosa. Pathology 1997; 29:
221-223.
26. Manley R, Fearnley D, Spearing, RL, Patton WN, Newhook C Hart DNJ.
Syngeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for severe aplastic
anaemia. Bone Marrow Transplantation 1997; 20:1009-1010.
27. Brennan SO, Hammonds B, Spearing RL, George P. Electrospray Ionisation
->Cys)
Mutation in a Family with Thrombosis. Thrombosis & Haemostasis 1997; 78:
1484-1487.
28. Reilly JT, Snowden JA, Spearing RL, Fitzgerald PM, Jones N, Watmore A et
al. Cytogenetic abnormalities and their prognostic significance in idiopathic
myelofibrosis: a study of 106 cases. British Journal of Haematology 1997; 98:
96-102.
29. Baker BW, Abbott GD, Beard MEJ, Spearing RL, Heaton DC. Aplastic
Anaemia in Christchurch Hospital (1979-1989). New Zealand Medical Journal
1991; 104: 468-470.
30. Beard MEJ, Inder AB, Allen JR, Hart DNJ, Heaton DC, RL Spearing. The
Costs and Benefits of Bone Marrow Transplantation. New Zealand Medical
Journal 1991; 104: 303-306.
31. Baker BW, Wilson CL, Davis AL, Spearing RL, Hart DNJ, Heaton DC, et al.
Busulphan/Cyclophosphamide
Conditioning
for
Bone
Marrow
Transplantation may lead to Failure of Hair Regrowth. Bone Marrow
Transplantation 1991; 7: 43-47.
32. Phillips JK, Spearing RL, Davies JM, Hay CR, Parry H, Nash JR, et al. VIM-D
Salvage Chemotherapy in Hodgkins' Disease. Cancer-Chemother-Pharmacol
1990; 27(2): 161-163.
33. Spearing RL, Hickton CM, Sizeland P, Hannah A, Bailey RR. Quinine-Induced
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. Lancet 1990; 336 (2): 1535-1537.
34. Smith SR, Cheesbrough J, Spearing RL Davies J M.
Randomised
Prospective Study Comparing Vancomycin with Teicoplanin in the Treatment
of Infections Associated with Hickman Catheters. Antimicrobial Agents in
Chemotherapy 1989; 33 (8): 1193-1197.
35. Phillips JK, Spearing RL, Crome DJ, Davies JM. Gentamicin Volumes of
Distribution in Patients with Haematologic Disorders (letter).New England
Journal of Medicine 1988; 19:1290.
36. Spearing RL, Philips JK. Resistant Multiple Myeloma Treated with
Mitoxantrone in Combination with Vincristine and Dexamethasone. European
Journal of Haematology 1988; 4:378-379.
37. Withington S, Chambers ST, Beard MEJ, AB Inder, Allen JR, Ikram RB, et al.
Invasive aspergillosis in severely neutropenic patients over 18 years: impact
on intranasal amphotericin B and HEPA filtration. Journal of Hospital
Infection (1998) 38, 11-18.
38. Spearing RL, Mackie E, Wright J. Ventricular Fibrillation Secondary to an
Indwelling Right Atrial Catheter (letter). Lancet 1987; April 18: 1 (8538): 924.
39. Spearing RL, Mackie MJ, Risk JM, Johnson PM, Bulmer JN. Foetal and
Maternal Uteroplacental Bone Marrow-Derived Cells in Aplastic Anaemia.
British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 1986; 93:1163-1165.
40. Spearing RL, Pamphilon DH, Prentice AG. Pulmonary Aspergillosis in
Immunosuppressed patients with Haematological Malignancies.Quarterly
Journal of Medicine 1986; 59:611-625.
41. McVerry BA, Spearing RL, Smith A. SLE Anticoagulant. Transient Inhibition
by High Dose Immunoglobulin (letter). British Journal of Haematology 1985;
61:579-580.
CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS ACCEPTED FOR VERBAL PRESENTATION:
1. Adolescent and Young Adult Malignant Bone Tumour Survival in New
Zealand 2000 - 2009: A retrospective chart review George Laking,
Kirsten Ballantine, Mark Winstanley, Mandy PohLui De Silva , Angela
Zhang, Gordon Beadel , Ruth Spearing, Michael Sullivan. Inaurgural
International Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Congress,
December, Sydney 2015 - Submitted
2. CNS Complications of treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
Vidya Mathavan, Andrew Butler, Ruth Spearing. New Zealand Meeting of
the HSANZ March 2014- Winner of the David Heaton Prize
3. T.L. Kiss, H. Anderson, L. Brinch, R. Delage, J. Finke, P. Ljungman, K.
Remes, M. Sabloff, R. Spearing, I. Walker, E. Wallhult, M. Brune.
Allogeneic-related stem cell transplantation with reduced-intensity
conditioning versus best standard of care in older patients with acute
myeloid leukaemia in first complete remission. Interim analysis of a
prospective multi-centre phase III trial. European Bone Marrow
Transplant Conference, Vienna: Ab 627: March 2010.
4. M. L. Brune, J. M. Rowe, J. Szer, D. E. Hogge, J. Catalano, E. Wallhult, B.
I. Nilsson, B. Simonsson, R. Spearing, S. Allard. Post-Consolidation
Immunotherapy with Histamine Dihydrochloride and Interleukin-2 in
AML: Long Term Follow-Up of Leukemia-Free Survival and Overall
Survival. American Society of Haematology Annual Meeting, 2007
(Published in Blood 2007; 110(11): 1846)
5. Ganly P, Keeman H, Smith M, Patton N, Spearing R and Gibbons S. Can
written advice provide a safe and acceptable alternative to a new patient
assessment for elected referrals to haematology? European Haematology
Society Meeting, Vienna. June 2007
6. 5. Tsai J.J, Sanders J, Spearing R. Overwhelming Post-splenectomy
Infection: how well are we doing. Haematology Society of Australia and
New Zealand, NZ Branch Meeting. May 2007.
7. 6. Brune M, Szer J, Catalano J, Castaigne S, Spearing R, Stadtmauer E,
Nilsson B, Hellstrand K, Wallhult E, Hofmann W, Gehlsen K, Rowe J, Ho
A, Simonsson
B, Hogge D, Or R. Improved Leukemia-Free
Survival after Post-Consolidation Treatment with Histamine
Dihydrochloride and Interleukin-2 in AML. A Randomized Phase III Trial.
American Society of Haematology, San Diego, USA, December 2004.
(Published in Blood 2004; 261)
8.
Nieto Y, Patton N, Hawkins, T, Spearing R,
Bearman S, Rabinovitch R, Zeng C. Baron A, McSweeney P. GVHD
Prophylaxis with Tacrolimus (TAC) and Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) after
matched sibling donor (MSD) non-myeloablative stem-cell transplants
(NST) conditioned with fludarabine (FLU)/total body irradiation (TBI).
American Society of Haematology, San Diego, USA, December 2004.
(Published in Blood 2004; 5065).
9. Surgenor L J, Horn J, and Spearing R L.
Adjustment during
Haematological Transplantation: Rethinking the role of psychological
control.
7th World Congress of Psycho-oncology, Copenhagen,
Denmark, August 2004
10. Morris C, Benjes S, Gough S, McDonald M, McKenzie G, Moon, S, Walker
L, Morrin H, Brunton H, Atkinson C, Ganly P, Harris G, Miller A,
Robinson, B, R Spearing. Cancer Genetics: Arr'ay for the Future!, New
Zealand Oncology Conference, Christchurch 24-26 June 2004.
11. Surgenor L J, Horn, & Spearing R. Issues of Psychological control
during haematological transplantation", Australasian Society of
Behavioural Health and Medicine Annual Conference, Christchurch,1214th February, 2004.
12.
Chambers S, Sanders J, Patton N, Ganly P, Birch M, Crump J,
Spearing R. Reduction of intravascular catheter exit site infections among
neutropenic patients by sustained release chlorhexidine dressings:
results from a prospective randomised controlled trial. International Bone
Marrow Transplant Registry Conference, Keystone, USA, 2003.
13. Scotter J, Patton N, Campbell P, Anderson T, Murdoch D, Jennings L,
Chambers S, Ganly P, Spearing RL.
Comparison of PCR v
Galactomannan for the Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis.
Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific
Meeting. Christchurch, New Zealand, 2003.
14. Surgenor L, Horn J, Spearing R. Issues of Psychological Control during
Haematological Transplantation. Haematology Society of Australia and
New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting. Christchurch, New Zealand,
October 2003.
15. Chee L, Spearing RL, MacPherson S, Ebbett A, Morris C, McDonald M,
Patton WN. Nonmyeloablative HLA-identical Sibling Allogeneic Stem
Cell Transplant Using Donor with Essential Thrombocythaemia (ET):
evidence of engraftment without manifestation of ET. Haematology
Society Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting.
Christchurch, New Zealand, October 2003.
16. Chambers ST, Sanders J, Patton N, Ganly P, Birch M, Crump JA,
Spearing RL. Reduction of Intravascular Catheter Exit Site Infections
among Neutropenic Patients by Sustained Release Chlorhexidine
Dressings: results from a prospective randomized controlled trial.
Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific
Meeting. Christchurch, New Zealand, October 2003.
17. R L Spearing. Data Collection Systems: Options and feedback. NZ
Branch Meeting of the Haematology Society of Australia and New
Zealand, 15-16th March 2002.
18. L Fernyhough, R L Spearing. Ulcerative colitis, autoimmune
thrombocytopenia, and DVT: A successful outcome after treatment with
Heparin. NZ Branch Meeting of the Haematology Society of Australia
and New Zealand, 15-16th March 2002.
19. LC Walker, JC Stevens, H Campbell, R Corbett, R Spearing, D Heaton, D
McDonald, C Morris, P Ganly. An inherited mutation of the transcription
factor AML1 causes thrombocytopenia with a predisposition for acute
myeloid leukaemia. Joint Annual Scientific Meeting of the Haematology
Society of Australasia and the Australasian Society of Blood Transfusion,
Brisbane. 2001
20. LC Walker, JC Stevens, H Campbell, R Corbett, R Spearing, D Heaton, D
McDonald, C Morris and P Ganly.
An inherited mutation of the
transcription factor AML1 causes thrombocytopenia with a predisposition
for acute myeloid leukaemia. New Zealand Branch Meeting of the Human
Genetics Society of Australasia, Dunedin. 2001
21. JM Stevens, WN Patton, DC Heaton, RL Spearing. Autologous PBSCT in
patients with cardiac amyloidosis. Haematolog Society of Australia and
New Zealand, New Zealand Branch Meeting April 2000.
22. McDonald, M., Ganly, P., Spearing, R.L. & Morris, C.M. FISH and whole
chromosome painting unmasks acquired rearrangement of a
constitutional chromosome translocation to reveal monsomy 7q and
trisomy 1q in Myelodysplastic syndome. HGSA Annual Scientific
Meeting, Wellington 2000).
23. 22.RL Spearing, EA Culverwell CJ Gibson, DB Fearnley. Evaluation of
chlorhexidine gluconate antimicrobial dressing for indwelling central
venous catheters. New Zealand Society of Haematology 1999.
24. 23. Llewellyn, SJ Stanworth, DC Heaton, RL Spearing. Trisomy 10 as an
isolated finding in AML. New Zealand Society of Haematology, 1998.
25. 24.AP Goringe, I Llewellyn, RL Spearing, R Corbett, WN Patton. Allogeneic
bone marrow transplant associated cortical blindness - report of two
cases and review of literature. New Zealand Society of Haematology, 1998.
26. RL Spearing, M Clark, L Teague, H Blacklock. Report of one year treatment
of Gaucher’s disease with enzyme replacement in New Zealand. New
Zealand Society of Haematology, 1998.
27. RL Spearing. Update on Gaucher’s therapy in New Zealand. New Zealand
Gaucher’s Treatment Group, 1998.
28. RL Spearing. Update on Gaucher’s therapy in New Zealand. New Zealand
Gaucher’s Treatment Group, 1997.
29. JT Reilly, JA Snowden, RL Spearing, PH Fitzgerald, N Jones, A Watmore,
A Potter. Cytogenetic abnormalities and their prognostic significance in
idiopathic myelofibrosis: a study of 106 cases. British Society of
Haematology, 1997.
30. RL Spearing, CM Hickton, P Sizeland, RR Bailey. Disseminated
Intravascular Coagulation and Renal Failure. Australasian Society of
Nephrology, 1990.
31. RL Spearing, CM Hickton, P Sizeland, E Hannah, RR Bailey QuinineInduced Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. New Zealand Society of
Haematology, 1990.
POSTERS PRESENTED AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS:
1. Compliance with “Immunosuppressed Patient’s Clinical Pathway” protocol
in Christchurch Emergency Department. Natalia Gavrilova, Ruth Spearing, Lois
Surgenor, Polly Grainger HSANZ October 2012
2. Jessica Sterenborg , Lesley Black, Peter Ganly, Polly Grainger, Ruth
Spearing Compliance with Immunosuppressed Patients’ Clinical Pathway in
Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department. Haematology Society of
Australia and New Zealand, Auckland, 2010.
3. Benjes S, Ganly PS. Spearing RL, Morris CM. Complex BCR-ABL1gene
rearrangements in chronic myeloid leukaemia. 7th Cytogenetics Conference,
Stockholm, July 2009. Chromosome Research
Volume 17, Supplement 1, 29-243
4. L. Schonegevel, A. Butler, N. Patton, R.L. Spearing, P. Ganly,. Acquisition
and loss of the Janus kinase 2 V617F mutation post allogeneic transplantation.
Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand, Gold Coast, 2007
5. P. Ganly, H. Keenan, M. Smith, N. Patton, R. Spearing. Can Written Advice
provide a Safe and Acceptable Alternative to a New Patient Assessment for
Selected Referrals to Haematology? European Haematology Society Meeting,
Vienna, 2007.
6. Fernyhough L, Tsai J.J, Spearing R. Evan’s Syndrome with durable
response to Rituximab. Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand,
Hobart, 2006
7. Tsai J.J, Sanders J, Spearing R. Overwhelming Post-splenectomy Infection:
how well are we managing. Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand,
Hobart, 2006
8. Benjes, S M, Walker, L C, Aitchison, A, Ganly P S, Spearing, R L and Morris, C
M.
DNA Sequence features of additional partner chromosome BCR junction
fragments associated with complex BCR-ABL1 rearrangements in ALL
11th
International Congress of Human Genetics. Brisbane, 2006.
9. Gough S M, Ganly P, Spearing, R and Morris C M.
Hs568769 and DNTT
(TdT): ‘partners in crime’ in a novel t(5;10) translocation in ALL.
11th
International Congress of Human Genetics. Brisbane, 2006
10. Gough, S., Benjes, S., Spearing, R.L., Ganly, P.S. and Morris, C.M.
Disruption of a lymphocyte development gene cluster at 10q24 by a novel
t(5;10) translocation in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
International
Workshop on Encoding Information in DNA Sequences, Okinawa, Japan, 2005.
Oral and poster presentation.
11. Benjes, S, Spearing, R, Ganly P & Morris, C. Molecular analysis of complex
BCR-ABL1 gene rearrangements in chronic myeloid leukaemia. Proceedings of
the 96th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, 46
(A139). Los Angeles, 2005
12. Benjes, S.M., Walker, L.C., Ganly, P.S., Spearing, R.L. & Morris, C.M.
Molecular analysis of complex BCR-ABL1 gene rearrangements in chronic
myeloid leukaemia 37th European Human Genetics Conference (European
Journal of Human Genetics 13, 212) Prague, 2005.
13. Gough, S., Benjes, S., Spearing R., Ganly P. & Morris C. Disruption of a
lymphocyte development gene cluster at 10-q24 by a novel t(5;10)
translocation in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. 5th European Cytogenetics
Conference Madrid, 2005. Chromosome Research, 13:165
14. Fernyhough L, Ebbett A, Sanders J, Spearing R, Gibbons S, Ganly P, Smith
M, Patton, N. Tandem High Dose Melphalan (HDM) and HLA Identical-sibling
Allogeneic Non Myeloablative Stem Cell Transplant (NMAT SCT) for Multiple
Myeloma, A Single Centre Experience. Haematology Society of Australia and
New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney, Australia, 2005.
15. Markham H, Spearing R L, Wilson R. Hydroxyurea as a Cause of Cardiac
Arrhythmia and Drug Fever. A Case Note Review. Haematology Society of
Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting Sydney, Australia, 2005.
16. S M Gough, S N Benjes, R Spearing, P Ganly, C Morris. Disruption of a
Lymphocyte Development Gene Cluster at 10q24 by a Novel t(5;10)
Translocation in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)., Haematology Society
of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting Melbourne, Australia,
2004.
17. Benjes, S.M., Walker, L.C., Ganly, P.S., Spearing, R.L. & Morris, C.M.
Complex Gene Rearrangements in Human Leukaemia. Canterbury Health
Science Research Conference, Christchurch, 2004.
18. Gough, S., Benjes, S., Markie, D.M., Heaton, D.C., Spearing, R.L., Ganly,
P.S. & Morris, C.M. Dangerous Liaison? A novel t(5;10) translocation in acute
lymphoblastic leukaemia. New Zealand Society for Oncology, Christchurch,
2004.
19. Gough, S.M., Benjes, S.M., Spearing, R.L., Ganly, P.S. & Morris, C.M.
Disruption of a lymphocyte development gene cluster at 10q24 by a novel
t(5;10) translocation in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Canterbury
Health Science Research Conference, Christchurch, 2004.
20. S Chambers, J Sanders, N Patton, P Ganly, M Birch, J Crump, R Spearing.
Reduction of intravascular catheter exit site infections among neutropenic
patients by sustained release chlorhexidine dressings: results from a
prospective randomised controlled trial.
Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand Conference, Christchurch,
2003. Awarded best poster.
21. Chee L, Spearing RL, MacPherson S, Ebbett A, Morris C, McDonald M,
Patton WN. Nonmyeloablative HLA-identical Sibling Allogeneic Stem Cell
Transplant Using Donor with Essential Thrombocythaemia (ET): evidence of
engraftment without manifestation of ET in recipient. Haematology Society of
Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting, Christchurch, New
Zealand, 2003.
22. S Gough, D Markie, J Korenberg, D Heaton, P Ganly, R Spearing, C Morris.
Dangerous Liaison? Molecular analysis of a Novel t(5;10) Translocation in a
Case of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. American Association of
Cytogenetic Research Annual Meeting, San Francisco, 2002.
23. Ganly, P., Heaton, D., Corbett, R., Stevens, J., Spearing, R., McDonald, D.,
Campbell, H., Walker, L., Morris, C. Identification of a further familial mutation
of AML1: Its effects on thrombopoiesis and recovery from chemotherapy and
autologous transplant. American Society for Hematology 43rd Annual Meeting,
Orlando, 2001. Blood 2001;98: Ab:2374.
24. Margaret McDonald, Peter Ganly, Ruth Spearing and Christine Morris.
FISH and whole chromosome painting unmasks acquired rearrangement of a
constitutional chromosome translocation to reveal monosomy 7q and trisomy
1q in myelodysplastic syndrome. Human Genetic Society of Australasia
Annual Scientific Meeting, Wellington, 2000.
25. Ganly, P. S., McDonald, M., Spearing, R. L., & Morris, C. M. FISH and whole
chromosome painting unmasks acquired rearrangement of a constitutional
chromosome translocation to reveal monosomy 7q and trisomy 1q in
myelodysplastic syndrome. Poster session presented at the Annual Congress
of Haematological Society of Australia and New Zealand, Perth, 2000
26. J Duncan, S Carnoustos, A Cook, R Spearing. A Patient Education
Programme for Inherited Red Cell Disorders.
South Pacific Congress of
Laboratory Technologists, Auckland, 1999.
27. Morris, C.M., Benjes, S.M., Gagic, M., Gough, S., Jeffs, A.R., McDonald, M.,
Taylor, J.,Walker, L.C., Spearing, R. Leukaemia research at the Cytogenetics
& Molecular Oncology Unit. Inaugural New Zealand Cancer Society
Conference, Christchurch, 1999.
28. EA Culverwell, CJ Gibson, DB Fearnley, RL Spearing. Evaluation of the
BiopatchTM Chlorhexidine Gluconate antimicrobial dressing for insertion site
management of indwelling central venous catheters. New Zealand Society of
Intravenous Nurses Annual Conference, Christchurch, 1998. Awarded best
poster.
29. JT Reilly, JA Snowden, RL Spearing, PH Fitzgerald, N Jones, A Watmore, A
Potter.
Cytogenetic abnormalities and their prognostic significance in idiopathic
myelofibrosis: a study of 106 cases. Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
/ World Association of Pathologists, Auckland, 1995.
30. RL Spearing, E Culverwell, M Brettell. Blood Progenitor Cell Harvest in a
Patient <25kg using the Haemonetics V50.
Haematology Society of Australia
Annual Scientific Meeting. Adelaide, 1996.
31. RL Spearing, SI Mannering, JL McKenzie, DB Fearnley, DNJ Hart. Optimal
presentation of a BCR-ABL derived peptide to a chronic myeloid leukaemia
specific T cell clone by blood dendritic cells.
26th Congress of the International Society of Haematology, Singapore, 1996.
32. JC Nimmo, A Daniel, RL Spearing, DNJ Hart, R. Corbett. Langerhans cell
histiocytosis (LCH). A case report with emphasis on accurate diagnosis. World
Association of Pathologists/Royal Australasian College of Pathologists,
Auckland, 1995
33. RL Spearing. Management of splenectomies in New Zealand. World
Association of Pathologists / Royal Australasian College of Pathologists
Auckland, 1995.
34. RL Spearing, J Nimmo, JE MacDonald, DNJ Hart. Primary cutaneous large
cell B cell lymphoma disseminating after 29 years. World Association of
Pathologists / Royal Australasian College of Pathologists, Auckland, 1995
35. RL Spearing and PH Fitzgerald. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in a 4th
family member carrying the inherited abnormal chromosome 22 p-.
International Society of Haematology, London, 1992.
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES:
Since 1989, when I was involved in bringing about New Zealand’s involvement
in the UK Medical Research Council/National Cancer Research Institute
Clinical trials for haematological malignancies, I have played a key role leading
and supporting haematological clinical trials throughout New Zealand. I regard
this as perhaps my greatest achievement for haematology in NZ
I have been the New Zealand Principal Investigator in wide range of high
profile international clinical haematological trials which have changed
international management of haematological malignancies including:Acute Myeloid Leukaemia:
1. UK Medical Research Trial AML17
2.UK Medical Research Trial AML15
3. UK MRC High Risk AML Trial
4. Randomized, Double Blind, Multicenter Study of Proteinase 3 PR1 Peptide
Mixed with Montanide ISA-51 VG Adjuvant and Administered with GM-CSF in
Elderly Patients with AML in First Complete Remission or Adults in Second
Complete Remission
5. Open label randomised controlled dose escalating phase II study of AS1411
combined with cytarabine in the treatment of patients with primary refractory
or relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia.
6. AS1411-203 trial in relapsed AML.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia:
1.UK Medical Research Trial ALL12
Chronic Lymphocytic Lymphoma:
1. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Trial 4 (MRC UK) A randomised
comparison of chlorambucil,
fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide.
2. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Trial 5 (MRC UK/EBMT) The value of auto
grafting younger patients with high risk Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
Stem Cell Transplantation:
1.Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate Mofetil after Non-myeloablative MatchedSibling Donor Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplantations, Conditioned with
Fludarabine and Low-Dose Total Body Irradiation
2.Reduced Intensity Transplantation for AML in the elderly, International
Multicentre Trial, collaboration with Swedish and Canadian groups
Supportive Care:
1.Caspofungin versus liposomal amphotericin in the treatment the febrile
immunosuppressed patient. (Published New England Journal Medicine )
2.Multi-center, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial of
deferasirox in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (low/int-1 risk) and
transfusional overload.
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria:
1. NZ lead for the International Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria
Registry
Co-investigator on numerous other clinical trials.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
1977 MRC Scholarship to study effect of phenobarbitone on liver enzymes
with Professor T. Varagunam, Department of Medicine at the University of Sri
Lanka
Grants obtained – Primary Researcher:
1. University of Liverpool. Funding for North Wales and Mersey Regional
Lymphoma and Leukaemia trials Secretary (over 3 years) £10,000 - 1986.
2. University of Liverpool. Grant for Research Technician to work on Protein
Kinase C Assay and other related aspects of drug resistance (initially for 1
year), £7,000 - 1986 (subsequently extended to a 3 year research project)
3. University of Liverpool. Research Grant - studies on mitozantrone cytotoxicity - alone and in combination with the vinca alkaloids (over 2 years),
£10,000, Mersey Regional Health Authority –1986 (subsequently extended
to a 3 year project)
4. Lederle Pharmaceuticals. Funding for Registrar and costs for running of
North Wales and Mersey Regional Lymphoma and Leukaemia Trails (over
3 years), £57,000, November 1986.
Grant Obtained – Names contributor:
1. Genesis Oncology Trust, Novel Chromosome Breakpoints, Leukaemia
Genes and their
Clinical Significance $55,908 (salary only), 02.2005 - 01.2006. S Gough, C
Morris, P Ganly, R Spearing, 2004.
2. Leukaemia and Blood Foundation of New Zealand, Novel Breakpoints,
Leukaemia
Genes and their Clinical Prevalence $21,436 (working expenses), 12.0411.05. S Gough, C Morris, P Ganly, R Spearing 2004.
3.
Array Detection of Genomic Deletions Associated with BCR-ABL1
Leukaemia $70,000. S Benjes, C Morris, P Ganly, R Spearing 2003.
4. Canterbury Medical Research Foundation, Psychological adjustment in
bone marrow/stem cell Transplantation. $30,591. L Surgenor, R Spearing,
2003
5. University of Otago Research Grant, High Throughput Detection of
Genetic Alterations in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Using Array
Comparative Genomic Hybridisation, $22,792 p.a. 01.01.04 - 31.12.04 (C.
Morris, S-Y. Moon, P. Ganly, R. Spearing, 2003.
6. The Cancer Society of New Zealand, Comparative genomic hybridisation
studies in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. $66,111/annum. C. Morris, P.
Ganly, R. Corbett, R. Spearing. 2002
7. Canterbury Medical Research Foundation. Targeting Genes at Novel
Chromosome Breakpoints in Leukaemia, $35,771 (JRF Salary). S Gough, C
Morris, P Ganly, R Spearing – 2001
8. New Zealand Leukaemia and Blood Foundation. Positional Cloning of
t(5;10) Breakpoints in Leukaemia: Are Genes involved? - $15,160/annum.
C Morris, S Gough, P Ganly, R Spearing. – 2000.
9. Robert McClelland Trust. Finding differences in Leukaemia Genomes.
$15,920 (working expenses). C Morris, J Taylor-Jeffs, R Spearing – 2000
10. New Zealand Leukaemia and Blood Foundation. Unveiling Genetic
Changes in Human Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: A Genome-wide
Approach. $34,215 (JRF Salary). C Morris, J Taylor-Jeffs, R Spearing –
2000.
Teaching Activities:
Convenor of the University of Otago Annual Course for Preparation for
the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Examination since 2006
University of Otago Course Biennial Queenstown Course in Internal
Medicine x2
International internet-base course run through the University of
Coventry, UK, on Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Management for
Interdisciplinary Health Professionals. (Awarded Honorary Teaching
Fellowship by the University of Coventry for contribution to this course
over a number of years)
Registrar, House Surgeon and Medical Student teaching at Christchurch
Hospital
SUMMER STUDENTSHIPS:
2013
Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Malignant Bone Tumor Survival
in New Zealand, 2000-2009: A retrospective analysis Angela Zhang
Supervisor(s): Dr Rob Corbett, Dr Ruth Spearing, Mr Gordon Beadel,
Kirsten Ballantine, John Carson
2013
AYA 25-29 year incidence & survival : Victoria Utley
Supervisors: Ruth Spearing, John Carson, Kirsten Ballantine, Kate
Gardner, Rob Corbett. (Awarded Best Summer Studentship Presentation).
2013
Assessment of the Burden of Alcohol-Related Acute Admissions to
Christchurch Hospital and the Source (Off-Licence Vs. On-Licence) of the
Alcohol (part1) Manidipa Das
Supervisors: Dr Mike Ardagh, Ruth Spearing, Stuart Dodd, Martin
Than, Scott Pearson.
2013
Assessment of the burden of alcohol related acute admissions to
Christchurch Hospital and the source (Part 2) Rebecca Stewart
Supervisors: Dr Mike Ardagh, Ruth Spearing, Stuart Dodd, Martin
Than, Scott Pearson.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
2013
Presentation to the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Blood
Alcohol levels
2011
Presentation to the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Alcohol
Reform Bill
2003
Presentation to the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Smokefree Environments Amendment Bill
NON-WORK PASSIONS
Spending time with family and friends. Our little cottage out in the country.
Travelling with my husband. Previous President of the View Hill Pony Club for
a good number of years.