For close to two decades, biotechnology executive Raj Prabhakar has focused on the funding of new cancer therapies. Raj Prabhakar leads as Senior Vice President of Business Development at Caladrius Biosciences, where he has partnered programs and overseen cancer clinical trials, including the treatment of the common liver cancer hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
In the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent form of liver cancer, tumor classification can help physicians to individualize appropriate treatment. Recently, scientists at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, released research that may be instrumental in understanding the metabolic processes of tumors, and in turn may help doctors to predict the efficacy of certain drug therapies.
The study tracked the metabolism of cancer cells in oxygen-deprived conditions. Cancer cells require a steady supply of the molecule acetyl-CoA to maintain their reproductive rate. Under normal conditions of oxygenation, this molecule comes primarily from sugars. Study researchers found, however, that oxygen-deprived cancer cells are able to break down short chain fatty acids to create the acetyl-CoA molecule.
A naturally occurring substance known as endocannabinoids, structurally similar to marijuana, can assist in this process through the activation of cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors. Research findings suggest that the blocking of these receptors may be effective in interrupting cellular reproduction in certain HCC tumors. Efforts to develop receptor antagonists are currently underway.
In the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent form of liver cancer, tumor classification can help physicians to individualize appropriate treatment. Recently, scientists at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, released research that may be instrumental in understanding the metabolic processes of tumors, and in turn may help doctors to predict the efficacy of certain drug therapies.
The study tracked the metabolism of cancer cells in oxygen-deprived conditions. Cancer cells require a steady supply of the molecule acetyl-CoA to maintain their reproductive rate. Under normal conditions of oxygenation, this molecule comes primarily from sugars. Study researchers found, however, that oxygen-deprived cancer cells are able to break down short chain fatty acids to create the acetyl-CoA molecule.
A naturally occurring substance known as endocannabinoids, structurally similar to marijuana, can assist in this process through the activation of cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors. Research findings suggest that the blocking of these receptors may be effective in interrupting cellular reproduction in certain HCC tumors. Efforts to develop receptor antagonists are currently underway.