Tracy Fitzsimmons

Research Interests

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

Dr Tracy Fitzsimmons

Research Officer

School of Medicine

College of Health

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/lanorec3. 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

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.

colorectalresearch.org

 

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

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

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

Year Citation
2025 Bedrikovetski, S., Murshed, I., Fitzsimmons, T., Traeger, L., Price, T. J., Penniment, M., . . . Sammour, T. (2025). Total neoadjuvant therapy in early-onset rectal cancer: A multicentre prospective cohort study.. Colorectal Dis, 27(3), e70059.
DOI Scopus1 WoS2 Europe PMC2
2025 McKigney, N., Waldenstedt, S., Gonzalez, E., van Rees, J. M., Thaysen, H. V., Angenete, E., . . . Sammour, T. (2025). Survivorship issues in long-term survivors of locally recurrent rectal cancer: A qualitative study. Colorectal Disease, 27(3), e70051.
DOI Europe PMC2
2025 Murshed, I., Bedrikovetski, S., Murshed, I., Bunjo, Z., Fitzsimmons, T., Thomas, M., & Sammour, T. (2025). Total Neoadjuvant Therapy Versus Conventional Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer: Cost Analysis in a Public Healthcare System.. ANZ journal of surgery, 95(7-8), 1493-1508.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC2
2025 Nguyen, T. -M., Traeger, L., Fitzsimmons, T., Thomas, M., & Sammour, T. (2025). Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients Managed With Organ Preservation Following Total Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer-A Historical Cohort Study.. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 95(11), 1-8.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2025 Bedrikovetski, S., Lo, J., Murshed, I., Fitzsimmons, T., Sammour, T., & Thomas, M. (2025). Short-Term Outcomes After Selective Robotic Colorectal Surgery at a Large Public Tertiary Hospital in South Australia. International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery, 21(6), 8 pages.
DOI
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), 1698-1699.
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(646), 646-1-646-13.
DOI Scopus94 WoS89 Europe PMC73
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 Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC3
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 Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC1
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 J Surg, 95(1-2), 21-23.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
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 Scopus2 Europe PMC2
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 Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2023 Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Fitzsimmons, T., Price, T. J., Ruszkiewicz, A. R., Vather, R., & Sammour, T. (2023). Association between RAS/BRAF mutations and complete response following total neoadjuvant therapy in patients with rectal cancer: a prospective multicentered study. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 31(3), 1681-1689.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC6
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 Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
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 Scopus3 WoS1 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 Scopus22 WoS21 Europe PMC19
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 Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC5
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 Scopus23 WoS23 Europe PMC20
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. Clinical Oral Investigations, 25(5), 3305-3313.
DOI Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC4
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 Scopus15 WoS13 Europe PMC9
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 WoS30 Europe PMC24
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 Scopus87 WoS82 Europe PMC64
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 Scopus35 WoS31 Europe PMC24
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 WoS31 Europe PMC22
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 Scopus27 WoS22 Europe PMC19
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 Scopus133 WoS117 Europe PMC104
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 Scopus71 WoS64 Europe PMC52
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 Scopus46 WoS38 Europe PMC32
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 Scopus46 WoS47 Europe PMC39
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 PMC20
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 Scopus58 WoS48 Europe PMC46

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.

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

 

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

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

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

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