Kate Secombe

Miss Kate Secombe

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

College of Health

Kate completed her PhD in the Cancer Treatment Toxicities Group in 2021, investigating the role of the gut microbiome in the development of cancer treatment-induced gastrointestinal injury. She is currently an Adjunct Associate Lecturer in the School of Biomedicine at the University of Adelaide.

Date Position Institution name
2014 - 2016 Technical Assistant University of Adelaide

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2021 Award South Australian Young Achiever in STEM Awards Australia Australia -
2020 Award Young Scientist, 70th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Australian Academy of Science Australia -
2020 Fellowship Adam J Berry Fellowship Awardee Australian Academy of Science and National Insititutes of Health (USA) United States -
2019 Award Outstanding Community Presentation, RAHsearch Showcase Royal Adelaide Hospital Australia -
2019 Award CSIRO ON Pitch Competition, 2nd place CSIRO Australia -
2019 Honour Falling Walls Australia, 2nd place Australian Academy of Science Australia -
2018 Award Hans-Jürgen and Maria Ohff Research Grant University of Adelaide Australia -
2017 Scholarship Lions Medical Research Foundation Inc Scholarship The University of Adelaide - -
2017 Award Lions Medical Research Foundation Inc Travel Grant - - -
2017 Scholarship Research Training Program Stipend University of Adelaide Australia -
2014 Achievement Highest Honours Grade - - -
2014 Achievement Best Honours Poster Presentation - - -
2013 Award Faculty of Sciences Outstanding Academic Achievement - - -
2012 Award Faculty of Sciences Outstanding Academic Achievement - - -

Date Institution name Country Title
2017 - 2021 University of Adelaide Australia PhD in Medicine
2014 - 2014 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)
2010 - 2014 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science)

Year Citation
2025 Tillett, B. J., Dwiyanto, J., Secombe, K. R., George, T., Zhang, V., Anderson, D., . . . Hamilton-Williams, E. E. (2025). SCFA biotherapy delays diabetes in humanized gnotobiotic mice by remodeling mucosal homeostasis and metabolome. Nature Communications, 16(1), 2893.
DOI Scopus6 Europe PMC3
2024 Nguyen, T. P. M., Woods, S. L., Secombe, K. R., Tang, S., Elz, A. S., Ayton, S., . . . Bowen, J. M. (2024). Ferroptosis - a potential feature underlying neratinib-induced colonic epithelial injury. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 94(4), 493-505.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2024 Stringer, A. M., Hargreaves, B. M., Mendes, R. A., Blijlevens, N. M. A., Bruno, J. S., Joyce, P., . . . Wardill, H. R. (2024). Updated perspectives on the contribution of the microbiome to the pathogenesis of mucositis using the MASCC/ISOO framework. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 32(8), 558-1-558-15.
DOI Scopus11 WoS12 Europe PMC7
2023 Al-Qadami, G., Bowen, J., Van Sebille, Y., Secombe, K., Dorraki, M., Verjans, J., . . . Le, H. (2023). Baseline gut microbiota composition is associated with oral mucositis and tumour recurrence in patients with head and neck cancer: a pilot study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31(1), 98-1-98-14.
DOI Scopus25 WoS25 Europe PMC22
2023 Korver, S. K., Bowen, J. M., Gibson, R. J., Ball, I. A., Secombe, K. R., Wain, T. J., . . . Coller, J. K. (2023). Advanced statistics identifcation of participant and treatment predictors associated with severe adverse efects induced by fuoropyrimidine‑based chemotherapy. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol, 91(6), 507-521.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2023 Hart, N. H., Wallen, M. P., Farley, M. J., Haywood, D., Boytar, A. N., Secombe, K., . . . Wardill, H. R. (2023). Exercise and the gut microbiome: implications for supportive care in cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31(12), 724-1-724-24.
DOI Scopus6 WoS7 Europe PMC2
2022 Secombe, K. R., Crame, E. E., Tam, S. Y. J., Wardill, H. R., Gibson, R. J., Coller, J. K., & Bowen, J. M. (2022). Intestinal toll-like receptor 4 knockout alters the functional capacity of the gut microbiome following irinotecan treatment.. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 89(2), 275-281.
DOI Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC7
2022 Al-Qadami, G. H., Secombe, K. R., Subramaniam, C. B., Wardill, H. R., & Bowen, J. M. (2022). Gut Microbiota-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids: Impact on Cancer Treatment Response and Toxicities. Microorganisms, 10(10), 2048-1-2048-25.
DOI Scopus103 WoS103 Europe PMC87
2022 Secombe, K. R., Ball, I. A., Wignall, A. D., Bateman, E., Keefe, D. M., & Bowen, J. M. (2022). Antibiotic treatment targeting gram negative bacteria prevents neratinib-induced diarrhea in rats. Neoplasia, 30(article no. 100806), 100806-1-100806-10.
DOI Scopus13 WoS13 Europe PMC13
2021 Secombe, K. R., Al-Qadami, G. H., Subramaniam, C. B., Bowen, J. M., Scott, J., Van Sebille, Y. Z. A., . . . Wardill, H. R. (2021). Guidelines for reporting on animal fecal transplantation (GRAFT) studies: recommendations from a systematic review of murine transplantation protocols. Gut Microbes, 13(1), 1979878-1-1979878-15.
DOI Scopus65 WoS60 Europe PMC56
2021 Crame, E. E., Bowen, J. M., Secombe, K. R., Coller, J. K., François, M., Leifert, W., & Wardill, H. R. (2021). Epithelial-Specific TLR4 Knockout Challenges Current Evidence of TLR4 Homeostatic Control of Gut Permeability. Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases, 6(4), 199-209.
DOI Scopus5 Europe PMC5
2021 Secombe, K. R., Ball, I. A., Shirren, J., Wignall, A. D., Keefe, D. M., & Bowen, J. M. (2021). Pathophysiology of neratinib-induced diarrhea in male and female rats: microbial alterations a potential determinant.. Breast Cancer, 28(1), 99-109.
DOI Scopus12 WoS9 Europe PMC10
2020 Secombe, K. R., Van Sebille, Y. Z. A., Mayo, B. J., Coller, J. K., Gibson, R. J., & Bowen, J. M. (2020). Diarrhea Induced by Small Molecule Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Compared With Chemotherapy: Potential Role of the Microbiome.. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 19, 1534735420928493-1-153473542092849-12.
DOI Scopus59 WoS54 Europe PMC52
2020 Mayo, B., Secombe, K., Wignall, A., Bateman, E., Thorpe, D., Pietra, C., . . . Bowen, J. (2020). The GLP-2 Analogue Elsiglutide Reduces Diarrhoea Caused by the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Lapatinib in Rats. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 85(4), 793-803.
DOI Scopus26 WoS21 Europe PMC22
2019 Secombe, K. R., Coller, J. K., Gibson, R. J., Wardill, H. R., & Bowen, J. M. (2019). The bidirectional interaction of the gut microbiome and the innate immune system: Implications for chemotherapy‐induced gastrointestinal toxicity. International Journal of Cancer, 144(10), 2365-2376.
DOI Scopus72 WoS66 Europe PMC59
2019 Secombe, K., Ball, I., Shirren, J., Wignall, A., Finnie, J., Keefe, D., . . . Bowen, J. (2019). Targeting neratinib-induced diarrhea with budesonide and colesevelam in a rat model. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 83(3), 531-543.
DOI Scopus18 WoS12 Europe PMC14
2019 Wardill, H., Secombe, K., Bryant, R., Hazenberg, M. D., & Costello, S. (2019). Adjunctive fecal microbiota transplantation in supportive oncology: emerging indications and considerations in immunocompromised patients. EBioMedicine, 44, 730-740.
DOI Scopus61 WoS53 Europe PMC45
2017 Coller, J. K., Bowen, J. M., Ball, I. A., Wardill, H. R., Van Sebille, Y. Z. A., Stansborough, R. L., . . . Gibson, R. J. (2017). Potential safety concerns of TLR4 antagonism with irinotecan: a preclinical observational report. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 79(2), 431-434.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC8
2017 Van Sebille, Y., Gibson, R., Wardill, H., Secombe, K., Ball, I., Keefe, D., . . . Bowen, J. (2017). Dacomitinib-induced diarrhoea is associated with altered gastrointestinal permeability and disruption in ileal histology in rats. International Journal of Cancer, 140(12), 2820-2829.
DOI Scopus33 WoS29 Europe PMC30
2016 Wardill, H., Gibson, R., Van Sebille, Y., Secombe, K., Logan, R., & Bowen, J. (2016). A novel in vitro platform for the study of SN38-induced mucosal damage and the development of Toll-like receptor 4-targeted therapeutic options. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 241(13), 1386-1394.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC8
2016 Wardill, H., Gibson, R., Van Sebille, Y., Secombe, K., Coller, J., White, I., . . . Bowen, J. (2016). Irinotecan-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction and pain are mediated by common TLR4-dependent mechanisms. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 15(6), 1376-1386.
DOI Scopus124 WoS115 Europe PMC103
2016 Wardill, H., Bowen, J., Van Sebille, Y., Secombe, K., Coller, J., Ball, I., . . . Gibson, R. (2016). TLR4-dependent claudin-1 internalization and secretagogue-mediated chloride secretion regulate irinotecan-induced diarrhea. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 15(11), 2767-2779.
DOI Scopus45 WoS41 Europe PMC31

Year Citation
2021 Crame, E., Wardill, H. R., Secombe, K., Coller, J., & Bowen, J. (2021). Intestinal epithelial TLR4 are crucial to chemotherapy toxicity development. In ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Vol. 17 (pp. 110). WILEY.
2021 Secombe, K., Ball, I., Subramaniam, C., Al-Qadami, G., Bowen, J., & Wardill, H. R. (2021). Using patient-reported outcome measures to determine the role of the microbiome in cancer treatment-induced diarrhoea. In ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Vol. 17 (pp. 174-175). WILEY.
2021 Al-Qadami, G., Bowen, J., Van Sebille, Y., Wardill, H., Secombe, K., & Le, H. (2021). Pre-treatment gut microbiome and radiotherapy response and toxicities among patients with head and neck cancer. In MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting.
2019 Bowen, J. M., Secombe, K. R., Ball, I. A., Shirren, J., Wignall, A. D., Finnie, J. W., . . . Keefe, D. (2019). Budesonide and colesevelam reduce neratinib-induced diarrhea in a rat model. In CANCER RESEARCH Vol. 79 (pp. 2 pages). San Antonio, TX: AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH.
DOI
2019 Bruning, E., Coller, J., Wardill, H., Secombe, K., & Bowen, J. (2019). Toll-like receptor 4 humanized C57BL/6 mouse intestinal permeability: A translational model for cancer treatment toxicity. In JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY Vol. 34 (pp. 166). WILEY.
2019 Secombe, K., Bowen, J., Ball, I., Shirren, J., Wignall, A., Lalani, A., & Diala, I. (2019). The gut microbiome as an intervention target for neratinib-induced diarrhoea. In ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Vol. 15 (pp. 107-108). WILEY.
2018 Wardill, H., Secombe, K., Gibson, R., Stringer, A., Al-Dasooqi, N., Mayo, B., & Bowen, J. (2018). Pre-treatment blautia abundance regulates chemo-toxicity in colorectal cancer patients: A pilot study. In NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY Vol. 30 (pp. 1 page). WILEY.
2018 Secombe, K., Bowen, J., Coller, J., Gibson, R., Stringer, A., Al-Dasooqi, N., . . . Wardill, H. R. (2018). Pre-treatment Blautia abundance regulates chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal toxicity risk: a pilot study. In ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Vol. 14 (pp. 59). WILEY.
WoS2

Year Citation
2021 Secombe, K. R., Ball, I. A., Wignall, A. D., Bateman, E., Diala, I., Lalani, A. S., & Bowen, J. M. (2021). Antibiotic treatment targeting gram negative bacteria prevents neratinib-induced diarrhea in rats.. Poster session presented at the meeting of CANCER RESEARCH. Philadelphia, PA: AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH.
2017 Secombe, K. R., Ball, I. A., Shirren, J., Wignall, A. D., Wardill, H. R., Van Sebille, Y. Z. A., & Bowen, J. M. (2017). Budesonide Reduces Neratinib-Induced Gastrointestinal Injury and Diarrhoea in Rats. Poster session presented at the meeting of ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. WILEY.
WoS2

Year Citation
- Secombe, K. (n.d.). GRAFT systematic review data.
DOI

Date Role Membership Country
2016 - ongoing Member Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer -
2014 - ongoing Member Australian Society of Medical Research -
2013 - ongoing Board Member Faculty of Sciences Board -
2011 - ongoing - Golden Key International Honour Society -

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