Patrick Bhatt

Patrick Bhatt studies the neuroscience of cancer pain, elucidating how tumors create a unique pain state through central sensitization mechanisms distinct from inflammatory and neuropathic pain, involving tumor-derived mediators that sensitize peripheral nociceptors and drive maladaptive plasticity in spinal cord and brain pain circuits. His laboratory has identified novel molecular targets for cancer pain that are not addressed by conventional analgesics. He has contributed to understanding how bone cancer pain involves destruction of sensory nerve fibers and aberrant sprouting. His work addresses the critical unmet need of cancer pain management.