Catherine Bhatt

Catherine Bhatt studies indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) and its role in tryptophan catabolism-mediated immunosuppression in cancer. Her research has characterized the mechanisms by which tumor cell and dendritic cell IDO1 expression depletes local tryptophan and generates kynurenine metabolites that suppress T cell function and induce Treg differentiation. She has investigated the clinical relevance of IDO pathway activity in cancer patients and evaluated IDO inhibitors as combination immunotherapy agents. Her work has informed the development of IDO1 and AHR inhibitors for cancer treatment.