Sandra Bhatt

Sandra Bhatt investigates mucin glycoproteins MUC1 and MUC16 as cancer targets, demonstrating how their aberrant O-glycosylation exposes tumor-specific neo-epitopes (including the Tn and sTn antigens) that can be targeted by immunotherapy while their extended glycan shields protect cancer cells from immune attack. Her work on MUC1-targeted CAR-T cells has shown that targeting the aberrantly glycosylated form achieves tumor selectivity without damaging normal tissues. She has characterized MUC16/CA125 as both a diagnostic biomarker and functional driver of ovarian cancer immune evasion. Her research bridges mucin glycobiology with cancer immunotherapy development.