Dr Tracy Fitzsimmons

Research Officer

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

The focus of the RAH Colorectal Research Group is to undertake patient centered outcomes research in colorectal surgery. My research projects are broadly focused on Colorectal Surgical Oncology, and Recovery After Surgery.

Colorectal cancer is estimated to become the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, and it is currently the second most common cause of cancer related mortality.

The impact of surgery on colorectal patient care is significant. For many patients this episode of care may be the single most important event in their treatment journey. However, despite this, the quality and extent of clinical outcomes based research activity in colorectal surgery has historically been lacking, particularly in comparison to efforts underway in medical oncology, molecular biology, and basic science research.

Specific projects I am involved in include:
1. TNT prospective study of Total Neoadjuvant Therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer.
2. LaNoReC (Lateral Nodal Recurrence in Rectal Cancer): An international prospective registration study looking at the role of lateral pelvic lymph
node dissection for residual abnormal lateral nodes in patients with rectal cancer. www.dccg.nl/trial/lanorec
3. Pelvex collaborative. International prospective registry of pelvic exenteration outcomes (extended surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer with
removal of surrounding pelvic organs en bloc). www.pelvex.org

My Research
Career
Publications
Grants and Funding
Teaching
Supervision
Professional Activities
Contact

colorectalresearch.org

Appointments

Date	Position	Institution name
2019 - ongoing	Research Officer	Royal Adelaide Hospital, The University of Adelaide
2005 - 2018	Post-doctoral Researcher	University of Adelaide
2005 - 2005	Research Officer	Numico Research Australia
1998 - 2004	Research Assistant	Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide

Awards and Achievements

Date	Type	Title	Institution Name	Country	Amount
2018	Fellowship	Barbara Kidman Women’s Fellowship	University of Adelaide	Australia	$24,000
2017	Award	Piksters Periodontal Award	Australian Dental Research Foundation Inc	Australia	$10,000

Education

Date	Institution name	Country	Title
2000 - 2005	University of Adelaide	Australia	PhD
1997 - 1997	University of Adelaide	Australia	Honours
1994 - 1996	University of Adelaide	Australia	Bachelor of Health Sciences

Research Interests

Clinical Trials Oncology and Carcinogenesis Surgery Cancer Biology and Clinical Oncology Surgical and Health Systems Innovation

Journals

Year	Citation
2024	Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Fitzsimmons, T., Price, T. J., Ruszkiewicz, A. R., Vather, R., & Sammour, T. (2024). ASO Visual Abstract: Association Between RAS/BRAF Mutations and Complete Response After Total Neoadjuvant Therapy of Patients with Rectal Cancer: A Prospective Multicentered Study. Annals of surgical oncology, 31(3), 1698-1699. DOI Scopus3 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2024	Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Fitzsimmons, T., Price, T. J., Ruszkiewicz, A. R., Vather, R., & Sammour, T. (2024). ASO Visual Abstract: Association Between RAS/BRAF Mutations and Complete Response After Total Neoadjuvant Therapy of Patients with Rectal Cancer: A Prospective Multicentered Study.. Ann Surg Oncol, 31(3), 2 pages. DOI
2024	Gurbatri, C. R., Radford, G. A., Vrbanac, L., Im, J., Thomas, E. M., Coker, C., . . . Danino, T. (2024). Engineering tumor-colonizing E. coli Nissle 1917 for detection and treatment of colorectal neoplasia. Nature Communications, 15(1), 646-1-646-13. DOI Scopus30 Europe PMC15
2024	Traeger, L., Bedrikovetski, S., Fitzsimmons, T., Nguyen, T. -M., Moore, J. W., Lewis, M., & Sammour, T. (2024). Pyridostigmine to Reduce the duration of postoperative Ileus after Colorectal surgery (PyRICo-RCT): randomized clinical trial. British Journal of Surgery, 111(5), znae121-1-znae121-9. DOI
2024	Ketagoda, D. H. K., Varga, P., Fitzsimmons, T. R., Moore, N. E., Weyrich, L. S., & Zilm, P. S. (2024). Development of an in vitro biofilm model of the human supra-gingival microbiome for Oral microbiome transplantation. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 223, 106961-1-106961-7. DOI Scopus1
2024	Fitzsimmons, T. R., & Sammour, T. (2024). “Near complete” response after total neoadjuvant therapy in patients with rectal cancer: close, but not close enough?. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 3 pages. DOI
2024	Van Geffen, E. G. M., Sluckin, T. C., Hazen, S. M. J. A., Horsthuis, K., Intven, M., Van Dieren, S., . . . Peringa, J. (2024). Optimised treatment of patients with enlarged la teral lymph no des in re ctal cancer: Protocol of an international, multicentre, prospective registration study after extensive multidisciplinary training (LaNoReC). BMJ Open, 14(10), e083225. DOI
2023	Fitzsimmons, T., Thomas, M., Tonkin, D., Murphy, E., Hollington, P., Solomon, M., . . . Luck, A. (2023). Establishing a state-wide pelvic exenteration multidisciplinary team meeting in South Australia. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 93(5), 1227-1231. DOI Scopus3
2023	Gurbatri, C. R., Radford, G., Vrbanac, L., Coker, C., Im, J. -W., Taylor, S. R., . . . Danino, T. (2023). Colorectal cancer detection and treatment with engineered probiotics.. bioRxiv. DOI
2022	de Gaay Fortman, D. P. E., Kroon, H. M., Bedrikovetski, S., Fitzsimmons, T. R., Dudi-Venkata, N. N., & Sammour, T. (2022). A snapshot of intraoperative conditions to predict prolonged postoperative ileus after colorectal surgery. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 92(9), 2199-2206. DOI
2022	Fitzsimmons, T., Jayasena, W., Holden, C. A., Dono, J., Hewett, P., Moore, J., & Sammour, T. (2022). Assessing the impact of the 2018 National Health and Medical Research Council polyp surveillance guidelines on compliance with surveillance intervals at two public hospitals. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 92(11), 2942-2948. DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC1
2022	Bedrikovetski, S., Fitzsimmons, T., Perry, J., Vather, R., Carruthers, S., Selva-Nayagam, S., . . . Sammour, T. (2022). Personalized total neoadjuvant therapy (pTNT) for advanced rectal cancer with tailored treatment sequencing based on clinical stage at presentation.. ANZ journal of surgery, 93(1-2), 9 pages. DOI Scopus13 WoS7 Europe PMC4
2022	Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Fitzsimmons, T., Perry, J., Vather, R., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2022). Personalized total neoadjuvant therapy versus chemotherapy during the 'wait period' versus standard chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 93(5), 1267-1273. DOI Scopus4 WoS1
2020	Algate, K., Haynes, D., Fitzsimmons, T., Romeo, O., Wagner, F., Holson, E., . . . Cantley, M. (2020). Histone deacetylases 1 and 2 inhibition suppresses cytokine production and osteoclast bone resorption in vitro. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 121(1), 244-258. DOI Scopus20 WoS15 Europe PMC12
2020	Khider, D., Rossi-Fedele, G., Fitzsimmons, T., Vasilev, K., & Zilm, P. S. (2020). Disruption of Enterococcus Faecalis biofilms using individual and plasma polymer encapsulated D-amino acids. Clin Oral Investig, 25(5), 3305-3313. DOI Scopus4 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2019	Race, J., Zilm, P., Ratnayake, J., Fitzsimmons, T., Marchant, C., & Cathro, P. (2019). Efficacy of laser and ultrasonic-activated irrigation on eradicating a mixed-species biofilm in human mesial roots. Australian Endodontic Journal, 45(3), 1-8. DOI Scopus12 WoS8 Europe PMC5
2018	Fitzsimmons, T., Ge, S., & Bartold, P. (2018). Compromised inflammatory cytokine response to P. gingivalis LPS by fibroblasts from inflamed human gingiva. Clinical Oral Investigations, 22(2), 919-927. DOI Scopus29 WoS25 Europe PMC15
2018	Gatej, S., Marino, V., Bright, R., Fitzsimmons, T., Gully, N., Zilm, P., . . . Bartold, P. (2018). Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG prevents alveolar bone loss in a mouse model of experimental periodontitis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 45(2), 204-212. DOI Scopus80 WoS50 Europe PMC34
2016	Chee, B., Park, B., Fitzsimmons, T., Coates, A., & Bartold, P. (2016). Omega-3 fatty acids as an adjunct for periodontal therapy-a review. Clinical Oral Investigations, 20(5), 879-894. DOI Scopus32 WoS25 Europe PMC19
2015	Doyle, C., Fitzsimmons, T., Marchant, C., Dharmapatni, A., Hirsch, R., & Bartold, P. (2015). Azithromycin suppresses P. gingivalis LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production by human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. Clinical Oral Investigations, 19(2), 221-227. DOI Scopus33 WoS28 Europe PMC15
2015	Stockham, S., Stamford, J., Roberts, C., Fitzsimmons, T., Marchant, C., Bartold, P., & Zilm, P. (2015). Abnormal pregnancy outcomes in mice using an induced periodontitis model and the haematogenous migration of Fusobacterium nucleatum sub-species to the murine placenta. PLoS One, 10(3), e0120050-1-e0120050-16. DOI Scopus25 WoS18 Europe PMC16
2013	Harvey, G., Fitzsimmons, T., Dharmapatni, A., Marchant, C., Haynes, D., & Bartold, P. (2013). Expression of peptidylarginine deiminase-2 and -4, citrullinated proteins and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies in human gingiva. Journal of Periodontal Research, 48(2), 252-261. DOI Scopus128 WoS110 Europe PMC84
2010	Megson, E., Fitzsimmons, T., Dharmapatni, A., & Bartold, P. (2010). C-reactive protein in gingival crevicular fluid may be indicative of systemic inflammation. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 37(9), 797-804. DOI Scopus70 WoS57 Europe PMC45
2010	Fitzsimmons, T., Sanders, A., Bartold, P., & Slade, G. (2010). Local and systemic biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid increase odds of periodontitis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 37(1), 30-36. DOI Scopus43 WoS35 Europe PMC24
2009	Tang, T., Fitzsimmons, T., & Bartold, P. (2009). Effect of smoking on concentrations of receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B ligand and osteoprotegerin in human gingival crevicular fluid. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 36(9), 713-718. DOI Scopus45 WoS40 Europe PMC34
2009	Fitzsimmons, T., Sanders, A., Slade, G., & Bartold, P. (2009). Biomarkers of periodontal inflammation in the Australian adult population. Australian Dental Journal, 54(2), 115-122. DOI Scopus26 WoS23 Europe PMC19
2009	Sanders, A., Slade, G., Fitzsimmons, T., & Bartold, P. (2009). Physical activity, inflammatory biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid and periodontitis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 36(5), 388-395. DOI Scopus54 WoS35 Europe PMC33

Conference Papers

Year	Citation
2021	Vrbanac, L., Wang, T., Wright, J., Lawrence, M., Sammour, T., Thomas, M., . . . Woods, S. (2021). Probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle preferentially colonizes colorectal tumors in humans. In JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY Vol. 36 (pp. 22-23). WILEY.
2007	Fitzsimmons, T. R. (2007). Contributions of local and systemic inflammation to periodontitis among Australians. In j Dent Res Vol. 86. New Orleans.
2007	McNamara, T. R., Slade, G. D., Sanders, A. E., Do, L. G., & Bartold, P. M. (2007). Contributions of local and systemic inflammation to periodontitis among Australians. In Journal of Dental Research. New Orleans: SAGE Publications (UK and US): 12 month Embargo.
2007	Sanders, A. E., Slade, G. D., Bartold, P. M., McNamara, T. R., & Do, L. G. (2007). Effect modification of smoking and poverty on periodontal inflammatory response. In Journal of Dental Research Vol. 86. New Orleans: SAGE Publications (UK and US): 12 month Embargo.

Conference Items

Year	Citation
2016	Coates, A., Fitzsimmons, T., Chee, B., Park, B., Kapellas, K., Howe, P., . . . Ivanovski, S. (2016). Periodontal symptoms and inflammation following non-surgical treatment and 4 months of fish oil supplementation. Poster session presented at the meeting of FASEB JOURNAL. San Diego, CA: FEDERATION AMER SOC EXP BIOL.

Date	Project Title	Investigators	Funding Body	Amount
2018	Barbara Kidman Women's Fellowship	TR Fitzsimmons	University of Adelaide	$24,000
2017	Azithromycin modulation of cytokine production during LPS induced/chronic inflammation in vitro: Impact on osteoclastogenesis	TR Fitzsimmons, D Haynes, PM Bartold	Australian Dental Research Foundation	$11,050
2014	Cytokine profiles in serum and placenta of pregnant mice following experimentally induced periodontitis	P Zilm, TR Fitzsimmons, C Roberts.	Australian Dental Research Foundation	$13,764
2014	Fish oil as an adjunct therapy for periodontitis – a pilot study to determine whether there are acute and chronic benefits?	A Coates, TR Fitzsimmons, PM Bartold, S Ivanovski, P Howe	Australian Dental Research Foundation	$9000
2012	Effect of Azithromycin on cytokine expression by human gingival fibroblasts	C Doyle, Bartold PM, TR Fitzsimmons, C Marchant	Australian Dental Research Foundation	$6000
2010	Multiplex analysis of the presence of IL-13, IL-15 and IL-17 in gingival crevicular fluid of subjects with periodontitis	TR Fitzsimmons	Australian Dental Research Foundation	$5600
2009	A NanoDrop spectrophotometer system for micro-volume quantitation of nucleic acid and protein	TR Fitzsimmons, PS Zilm, PM Bartold, P Cathro, D Haynes, S Gronthos, T Hughes, G Townsend, D Keefe	National Health and Medical Research Council, Equipment Grant	$10,000
2009	Identification and quantitation of periodontal pathogens by real-time polymerase chain reaction	TR McNamara, N Gully, PS Zilm	Australian Dental Research Foundation	$4000
2009	The effects of environmental redox potential (Eh) and pH on Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis co-cultured biofilms	J Chew, N Gully, PS Zilm, TR McNamara	Australian Dental Research Foundation	$4000
2009	An in-vitro evaluation of the effectiveness of endodontic irrigants, with and without ultrasonic activation, in the eradication of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm	A Seet, P Cathro, PS Zilm, TR McNamara, N Gully	Australian Dental Research Foundation	$4000
2009	Efficacy of antimicrobial treatment involving sodium hypochlorite, ledermix and calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus faecalis cultured as a biofilm on a dentine substrate	PS Zilm, P Cathro, B Plutzer, TR McNamara	Australian Dental Research Foundation	$4000
2008	Influence of smoking on molecules associated with bone resorption in human gingival crevicular fluid. Australian Dental Research Foundation	PM Bartold, TR McNamara, T Tang	Australian Dental Research Foundation	$6600
2007	Investigation of proteins in gingival crevicular fluid as a basis for disease diagnosis	T McNamara, P Zilm, C Bagley, PM Bartold	Australian Dental Research Foundation	$4800

Dates	Teaching Role	Course	School, Faculty, Institution	Subject Code
Semester 1, 2009	Casual Tutor	Human Biology ID Part 1	School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide	2910_DENT_1003AHO
Semester 2, 2008	Casual Tutor	Dental and Health Science II Part 2	School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide	2620_DENT_2001BHO
Semester 2, 2006	Casual Ttor	Dental and Health Science II Part 2	School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide	2620_DENT_2001BHO

Other Supervision Activities

Date	Role	Research Topic	Location	Program	Supervision Type	Student Load	Student Name
2018 - ongoing	Principal Supervisor	Oral microbiome assessment of plaque biofilms in an in vitro 3D printed flow cell	Adelaide Dental School, University of Adelaide	-	Honours	Full Time	Peter Varga
2018 - ongoing	Principal Supervisor	Benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and their derivatives in periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis	Adelaide Dental School, University of Adelaide	-	Honours	Part Time	Lucas Ciacciarelli
2018 - ongoing	Co-Supervisor	Regulation of osteoimmune immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) signalling factors in the pathogenesis of Chronic Periodontitis	Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide	-	Honours	Full Time	Adrian Duran
2017 - 2017	Principal Supervisor	Azithromycin modulation of cytokine production during LPS induced/chronic inflammation in vitro: Impact on osteoclastogenesis	Adelaide Dental School, University of Adelaide	-	Honours	Full Time	Dr Alen Rahulan
2011 - 2013	Co-Supervisor	Azithromycin suppresses P. gingivalis LPS induced pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production (IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 and GRO) by human gingival fibroblasts in vitro	Dept of Dentistry, University of Adelaide	Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Periodontics)	Other	-	Dr Catherine Doyle
2009 - 2011	Co-Supervisor	Expression of bone resorption markers in gingival crevicular fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients with and without periodontitis: a pilot study’	Dept of Dentistry, University of Adelaide	Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Periodontics)	Other	-	Dr Kere Kobayashi
2009 - 2011	Co-Supervisor	Expression of rheumatoid arthritis markers in normal and inflamed gingival tissues	Dept of Dentistry, University of Adelaide	Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Periodontics)	Other	-	Dr Geoffrey Harvey
2009 - 2010	Co-Supervisor	C-reactive protein, periodontitis and systemic inflammation	Dept of Dentistry, University of Adelaide	Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Periodontics)	Other	-	Dr Emma Megson
2007 - 2009	Co-Supervisor	C-reactive protein, periodontitis and systemic inflammation	Dept of Dentistry, University of Adelaide	Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Periodontics)	Other	-	Dr Teck Tang

Committee Memberships

Date	Role	Committee	Institution	Country
2018 - ongoing	Member	Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Seminar Series Organising Committee	University of Adelaide	Australia
2016 - ongoing	Member	Local Organising Committee IADR ANZ	-	Australia

Memberships

Date	Role	Membership	Country
2016 - ongoing	Member	International Association for Dental Research, Australian/New Zealand Division	Australia
2016 - ongoing	Member	International Association for Dental Research	United States

Position: Research Officer
Phone: 70742165
Email: tracy.fitzsimmons@adelaide.edu.au
Fax: 83136429
Campus: Royal Adelaide Hospital
Org Unit: Surgical Specialities