Aarti Bhatia, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology)Cards
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View Doctor ProfileAdditional Titles
Clinical Research Team Leader, Head and Neck Cancers Program
Contact Info
Are You a Patient?
View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileAdditional Titles
Clinical Research Team Leader, Head and Neck Cancers Program
Contact Info
Are You a Patient?
View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileAdditional Titles
Clinical Research Team Leader, Head and Neck Cancers Program
Contact Info
About
Titles
Associate Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology)
Clinical Research Team Leader, Head and Neck Cancers Program
Appointments
Medical Oncology
Associate Professor on TermPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Developmental Therapeutics
- Head and Neck Cancers Program
- Internal Medicine
- Medical Oncology
- Subset Medical Oncology Faculty
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Medicine
Education & Training
- Fellowship
- Temple University/Fox Chase Cancer Center (2015)
- Residency
- Johns Hopkins University/Sinai Hospital (2012)
- MPH
- University of Texas School of Public Health (2011)
- MD
- TN Medical School (2007)
Research
Overview
Medical Research Interests
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Barbara Burtness, MD
Benjamin L. Judson, MD, MBA
Saral Mehra, MD, MBA, FACS
Henry S. Park, MD, MPH
Cheryl Zogg, PhD, MSPH, MHS, MD
Hari Deshpande, MD
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Publications
2024
690TiP HERTHENA-PanTumor01: A global phase II trial of HER3-DXd in metastatic solid tumors
Powles T, Bhatia A, Burtness B, Kogawa T, Nishina T, Nakayama I, Fountzilas C, Castillo D, Mckean M, Meric-Bernstam F, Colombo N, Smithy J, Fayette J, Chandra S, Sternberg D, Sullivan K, Yueh S, Clinthorne G, Kudchadkar R, Hayashi H. 690TiP HERTHENA-PanTumor01: A global phase II trial of HER3-DXd in metastatic solid tumors. Annals Of Oncology 2024, 35: s534-s535. DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.08.2161.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe NAVigate-HPV Registry: A comprehensive biomarker evidence base for HPV-driven cancers.
Roof S, Hanna G, Rettig E, Routman D, Holsinger F, Kalman N, Bhatia A, Patel M, Jabalee J, Yom S, Baliga S, Raben A, Sims J, Kaczmar J, Bhayani M, Berger B, Del Vecchio Fitz C. The NAVigate-HPV Registry: A comprehensive biomarker evidence base for HPV-driven cancers. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2024, 42: e15045-e15045. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.e15045.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHPV-driven cancersHPV-related cancersHuman papillomavirusClinical dataHead and neckClinical outcome dataBlood-based assayPrecision cancer medicineClinical careRoutine clinical careDNA scoreUterine cervixAcademic medical facilityImprove patient outcomesAnal canalClinicopathological featuresEligible subjectsU.S. cancer centersBlood testsOncogenic driversCancer CenterTherapeutic approachesTumor biomarkersPatientsCancer medicineHERTHENA-PanTumor01: A global, multicohort, phase 2 trial of HER3-DXd in relapsed/refractory metastatic solid tumors.
Bhatia A, Hayashi H, Kogawa T, Nishina T, Fountzilas C, Castillo D, McKean M, Colombo N, Smithy J, Fayette J, Chandra S, Powles T, Kudchadkar R, Sternberg D, Sullivan K, Yueh S, Clinthorne G, Burtness B. HERTHENA-PanTumor01: A global, multicohort, phase 2 trial of HER3-DXd in relapsed/refractory metastatic solid tumors. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2024, 42: tps3164-tps3164. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.tps3164.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHead and neck squamous cell cancerHuman epidermal growth factor receptor 3Platinum-based chemotherapyHER3-DXdPhase 2 trialAntibody-drug conjugatesSolid tumorsHuman anti-HER3 monoclonal antibodyAnti-HER3 monoclonal antibodyAnti-PD-(L)1 therapyGastric cancerHER2-negative gastric cancerTopoisomerase I inhibitor payloadAssociated with poor clinical outcomesEpidermal growth factor receptor 3Anti-HER3 antibodiesGastroesophageal junction cancerHER2+ cancersMetastatic solid tumorsMetastatic breast cancerSquamous cell cancerBRAF wild-typePoor clinical outcomesMultiple tumor typesAcral subtype
2023
Randomized Phase II Trial of Ficlatuzumab With or Without Cetuximab in Pan-Refractory, Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer
Bauman J, Saba N, Roe D, Bauman J, Kaczmar J, Bhatia A, Muzaffar J, Julian R, Wang S, Bearelly S, Baker A, Steuer C, Giri A, Burtness B, Centuori S, Caulin C, Klein R, Saboda K, Obara S, Chung C. Randomized Phase II Trial of Ficlatuzumab With or Without Cetuximab in Pan-Refractory, Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2023, 41: 3851-3862. PMID: 36977289, DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.01994.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsMedian progression-free survivalProgression-free survivalObjective response rateRecurrent/metastatic headCMET overexpressionMetastatic headCombination armAntiepidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodyNoncomparative phase II studyRecurrent/metastatic HNSCCRandomized phase II trialEnd pointNeck squamous cell carcinomaHPV negative subgroupPhase II studyPrimary end pointSecondary end pointsHPV-positive diseaseHuman papillomavirus (HPV) statusMajor prognostic factorPhase II trialKey eligibility criteriaSquamous cell carcinomaReceptor monoclonal antibodyHPV-negative HNSCCTreating Head and Neck Cancer in the Age of Immunotherapy: A 2023 Update
Bhatia A, Burtness B. Treating Head and Neck Cancer in the Age of Immunotherapy: A 2023 Update. Drugs 2023, 83: 217-248. PMID: 36645621, DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01835-2.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsNeck cancerRecurrent/metastatic settingImmune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumabNeck squamous cell carcinomaAge of immunotherapyLate stage HNSCCImmune checkpoint inhibitionPlatinum-containing chemotherapyFirst-line treatmentGrowth factor receptor overexpressionCheckpoint inhibitor nivolumabSquamous cell carcinomaEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpressionPathogenesis of HNSCCTreatment of patientsTreatment of HNSCCManagement of headMonoclonal antibody cetuximabCurative intentPalliative chemotherapyAdvanced diseaseInhibitor nivolumabLocoregional failureMetastatic settingMultimodality therapy
2022
656MO Phase I study of M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) in combination with cisplatin and XRT in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Bhatia A, Chen Z, Bruce J, Steuer C, Zandberg D, Riess J, Mitchell D, Davis T, Patel M, Kaur V, Arnold S, Owonikoko T. 656MO Phase I study of M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) in combination with cisplatin and XRT in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Annals Of Oncology 2022, 33: s842. DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.07.780.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricTargeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Head and Neck Cancer
Bhatia A. Targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Head and Neck Cancer. The Cancer Journal 2022, 28: 331-338. PMID: 36165720, DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000623.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsNeck squamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell carcinomaEpidermal growth factor receptorGrowth factor receptorSystemic therapyCell carcinomaEpidermal growth factor receptor targetingFactor receptorMainstay of managementRational drug combinationsMost patientsDisease recurrenceDeath-1Neck cancerDisease outcomeDrug combinationsPatientsNovel drugsReceptor targetingSubstantial proportionRadiation techniquesPreclinical scienceCarcinomaTherapyReceptorsA phase II/III trial of chemotherapy plus cetuximab versus chemotherapy plus bevacizumab versus atezolizumab plus bevacizumab following progression on immune checkpoint inhibition in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancers: ECOG-ACRIN EA3202.
Bhatia A, Flamand Y, Johnson J, Ishizuka J, Duan F, Tang M, Karivedu V, Subramaniam R, Burtness B. A phase II/III trial of chemotherapy plus cetuximab versus chemotherapy plus bevacizumab versus atezolizumab plus bevacizumab following progression on immune checkpoint inhibition in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancers: ECOG-ACRIN EA3202. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2022, 40: tps6098-tps6098. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.tps6098.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsProgression-free survivalVascular endothelial growth factorM HNSCCOverall survivalPrimary endpointExperimental armControl armHigher treatment-related adverse eventsPhase II/III trialsOne-sided alpha levelRecurrent/metastatic headTreatment-related adverse eventsEffector T cell responsesMyeloid-derived suppressor cellsPhase II/IIIPhase IIStratified log-rank testEfficacy of atezolizumabPlatinum-doublet chemotherapyImmune checkpoint inhibitionFirst-line pembrolizumabAnti-tumor immunityPhase IIIDendritic cell maturationPhase III evaluationCemiplimab for Orbital Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 11 Cases
Steren B, Burtness B, Bhatia A, Demirci H, Shinder R, Yoo D, Tse B, Pointdujour-Lim R. Cemiplimab for Orbital Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 11 Cases. Ophthalmic Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 2022, 38: 496-502. PMID: 35502804, DOI: 10.1097/iop.0000000000002190.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsOrbital squamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell carcinomaCell carcinomaImmune checkpoint inhibitorsMulti-institutional seriesSignificant side effectsCheckpoint inhibitorsPatient characteristicsComplete responseClinical featuresStudy cohortOrbital exenterationCemiplimabDrug dosingSide effectsPatientsCarcinomaTreatmentExenterationRegimenResponseDosingCohortWeeksCessationEfficacy and toxicity of weekly paclitaxel, carboplatin, and cetuximab as induction chemotherapy or in cases of metastases or relapse for head and neck cancer with a focus on elderly or frail patients
Forman R, Deshpande H, Burtness B, Bhatia AK. Efficacy and toxicity of weekly paclitaxel, carboplatin, and cetuximab as induction chemotherapy or in cases of metastases or relapse for head and neck cancer with a focus on elderly or frail patients. Head & Neck 2022, 44: 1777-1786. PMID: 35488876, DOI: 10.1002/hed.27077.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsRECIST response rateProgression-free survivalMetastatic/recurrent diseaseOverall survivalInduction chemotherapyRecurrent diseaseNeck cancerMetastatic/recurrent headPFS/overall survivalMean progression-free survivalSuccessful induction rateMean overall survivalPercent of patientsCases of metastasisFrail subsetWeekly paclitaxelFrail patientsAdult patientsElderly patientsPerformance statusRecurrent headInduction cohortInduction groupPatientsRecurrent group
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
An Open Label Phase II Randomized Trial of BNT113 in Combination With Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab Monotherapy as a First Line Therapy in Patients With Unresectable Recurrent, or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) Which is Positive for Human Papilloma Virus 16 (HPV16+) and Expresses PD-L1 (AHEAD-MERIT)
HIC ID2000033494RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date05/31/2028Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ yearsRandomized Phase II/III Trial of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Versus Elective Neck Dissection for Early-Stage Oral Cavity Cancer
HIC ID2000032180RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date05/18/2031Recruiting ParticipantsA Window Trial of 5-Azacytidine or Nivolumab or Combination Nivolumab Plus 5-Azacytidine in Resectable HPV-Associated Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
HIC ID2000025632RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date09/30/2025Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase II/III Trial of Chemotherapy + Cetuximab vs Chemotherapy + Bevacizumab vs Atezolizumab + Bevacizumab Following Progression on Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancers
HIC ID2000032270RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/15/2027Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase II Randomized Trial of Adjuvant Therapy With Pembrolizumab After Resection of Recurrent/Second Primary Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma With High Risk Features
HIC ID2000031055RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date02/28/2026Recruiting Participants
Clinical Care
Overview
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Head and Neck Cancer
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Board Certifications
Hematology (Internal Medicine)
- Certification Organization
- AB of Internal Medicine
- Original Certification Date
- 2015
Medical Oncology
- Certification Organization
- AB of Internal Medicine
- Original Certification Date
- 2015
Yale Medicine News
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News
- June 07, 2024
Yale Cancer Center Researchers and Trainees Present at ASCO
- September 20, 2023
Clinical Trials for Sarcoma and Head & Neck Cancers at Yale
- January 10, 2023
Dr. Aarti Bhatia named Leader of the Head & Neck Disease-Aligned Research Team
- November 29, 2022Source: OncLive
Berzosertib Plus Standard Chemoradiation Elicits Promising Responses in Locally Advanced HNSCC
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Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.