Tara Bhatt

Tara Bhatt has investigated how sensory nociceptor neurons modulate the tumor immune microenvironment through neuropeptide release, demonstrating that CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) from tumor-innervating sensory nerves suppresses anti-tumor immunity by inhibiting dendritic cell maturation and promoting regulatory T cell differentiation. Her work on substance P signaling in cancer has revealed that this neuropeptide promotes angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation through NK1 receptor activation. Her research on nociceptor-mediated immunosuppression has identified neuropeptide antagonists as potential cancer immunotherapy enhancers.