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
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
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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
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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.
Scopus1 WoS12024 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), 2 pages.
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), 13 pages.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12023 Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Fitzsimmons, T., Perry, J., Vather, R., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2023). 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.
Scopus2 WoS12023 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.
Scopus22023 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.
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.
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.
Scopus12022 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.
Scopus9 WoS7 Europe PMC32020 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.
Scopus17 WoS15 Europe PMC82020 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.
Scopus4 WoS2 Europe PMC12019 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.
Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC42018 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.
Scopus27 WoS25 Europe PMC142018 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.
Scopus69 WoS50 Europe PMC302016 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.
Scopus28 WoS25 Europe PMC162015 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.
Scopus31 WoS28 Europe PMC152015 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.
Scopus24 WoS18 Europe PMC152013 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.
Scopus126 WoS110 Europe PMC822010 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.
Scopus65 WoS57 Europe PMC432010 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.
Scopus42 WoS35 Europe PMC222009 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.
Scopus41 WoS40 Europe PMC322009 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.
Scopus25 WoS23 Europe PMC192009 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.
Scopus49 WoS35 Europe PMC30 -
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
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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
Connect With Me
External Profiles