Lora Bhatt

Lora Bhatt investigates how cancer cells recruit and reprogram adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment to act as metabolic support cells that fuel tumor growth. Her research characterized cancer-associated adipocyte (CAA) formation, showing that tumor-adjacent adipocytes undergo de-differentiation and enhanced lipolysis to release fatty acids that cancer cells avidly take up for energy and membrane synthesis. She demonstrated that ovarian cancer peritoneal metastasis is strongly promoted by omental adipocytes that provide essential lipid nutrients. Her work on adipocyte-cancer metabolic crosstalk has identified novel therapeutic vulnerabilities in obesity-related cancers.