Dr Timothy Chevassut
Qualifications
BMBCh MA Oxford University 1993, MPH Harvard University 1998, PhD Edinburgh University 2006, FRCP Royal College of Physicians 1996, FRCPath Royal College of Pathologists 2006
GMC number: 4032117
Practising since: 1996
Specialties
Haematology, Clinical Oncology
Consultation times
- By appointment
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About
Dr Timothy Chevassut is both a clinical haematologist and basic scientist. He studied medicine and molecular biology at Oxford and gained his MRCP at Bristol before spending a research fellowship at Harvard where he conducted work on embryonic stem cells and DNA methylation. He subsequently completed a PhD at Edinburgh working on RNA interference before returning to medicine and completing specialist training in clinical haematology culminating in the FRCPath. In 2007 he joined Brighton and Sussex Medical School where he is currently Reader in Haematology and also an honorary consultant at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
Dr Chevassut's clinical area of interest is blood cancers with a particular focus on acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). These are related diseases of the blood for which we now have a remarkable understanding of the genetic mutations and molecular biology. However, despite this understanding, the treatment options for patients diagnosed with AML and MDS remain very limited, particularly older patients where stem cell transplantation is usually not possible.
Dr Chevassut’s recent work has focused on one particular gene mutation, namely the DNA methyltransferase gene DNMT3A, that occurs in around 25% of patients with AML. His laboratory has shown that mutations in DNMT3A often initiate leukaemia and can be detected rapidly using PCR to improve diagnosis and prognosis. More importantly, they have shown that leukaemias carrying DNMT3A mutations can be effectively targeted using novel strategies that disrupt the epigenetic machinery of the cell’s genome including histone modifications and DNA methylation.
Dr Chevassut also works closely with colleagues at BSMS and the University of Sussex on other types of blood cancer, notably chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and multiple myeloma, and has established a tissue bank of bone marrow samples. He has acted as Principal Investigator for a number of early-phase clinical studies and is a key member of the NCRI MDS Trial Subgroup. The overarching goal of his translational research programme is to develop better treatments for patients through an improved understanding of disease biology and to bring these to the clinic over the next few years. He welcomes expressions of interest for working at BSMS or collaboration with his research group.
Special interests
- Clinical haematology
- Acute myeloid leukaemia
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Stem cells
- DNA methylation
- Epigenetics
- Targeted therapies
- Cancer trials
Languages spoken
English
Treatments and tests offered by Dr Timothy Chevassut at Nuffield Health
- Haemato-oncology
- Haematology profiles
Locations Dr Timothy Chevassut works with
Related experience
Research
Dr Chevassut conducts a successful translational research programme in AML and MDS that aims to better understand the biology of these conditions through basic science with a view to improving treatments for patients through clinical trials. The basic laboratory research is conducted at the BSMS Medical Research Building at the University of Sussex and focuses on the molecular mechanisms of leukaemogenesis. Dr Chevassut conducts a successful translational research programme in AML and MDS that aims to better understand the biology of these conditions through basic science with a view to improving treatments for patients through clinical trials.
Dr Chevassut has also established the Brighton Bone Marrow Tissue Bank containing samples from patients with AML, MDS and other forms of blood cancer that serves as an invaluable research resource. In collaboration with other investigators at the University of Sussex, notably the Genome Centre and the Drug Discovery Centre, the Tissue Bank will facilitate the development of diagnostic assays for disease profiling and drug testing.
Finally, Dr Chevassut has established a highly regarded early phase clinical trial unit at CIRU (Clinical Investigation Research Unit), based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. He is the principal investigator for four studies in MDS and AML, including two for which he is the UK Chief Investigator, which aims to improve treatment options for patients using a variety of targeted therapies such as monoclonal antibodies, antisense molecules and DNA hypomethylation.
Memberships
- British Society of Haematology
- NCRI Myelodysplasia Subgroup
- Royal College of Pathologists (2010)
- Royal College of Physicians (2011)
Declaration
Dr Timothy Chevassut does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.
Dr Timothy Chevassut does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.
Dr Timothy Chevassut holds the following paid advisory role(s) either at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health:
Dr Timothy Chevassut is paid £5,353 for advisory services relating to haematology at Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital.