As Vice President of Business Development with Celsion Corporation, Raj Prabhakar leads licensing and drug development partnerships in the U.S. and emerging markets. To date, Raj Prabhakar has secured development agreements and licenses for two of the world's largest target markets for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatments, Japan and China.
A primary malignancy of the liver, hepatocellular carcinoma affects nearly 1 million people worldwide. It stands out as the third most common cause of oncological mortality across the world and is particularly prevalent across Asia and Africa. Researchers attribute this commonality to the presence of chronic hepatitis and subsequent liver disease in these regions.
Historically, HCC has been difficult to treat in that it has been diagnosed at a very advanced stage during which curative resection or liver transplantation is not possible. In addition, a number of patients present with cirrhosis, which complicates traditional treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy. These patients may receive ablation treatments or, if possible, chemoembolization. However, the prevalence of this disease has prompted HCC screening of cirrhosis patients, which can allow for earlier diagnosis. If physicians make the diagnosis before the cancer has spread, a combination of tumor-shrinking pharmaceuticals and surgical intervention can be effective.
A primary malignancy of the liver, hepatocellular carcinoma affects nearly 1 million people worldwide. It stands out as the third most common cause of oncological mortality across the world and is particularly prevalent across Asia and Africa. Researchers attribute this commonality to the presence of chronic hepatitis and subsequent liver disease in these regions.
Historically, HCC has been difficult to treat in that it has been diagnosed at a very advanced stage during which curative resection or liver transplantation is not possible. In addition, a number of patients present with cirrhosis, which complicates traditional treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy. These patients may receive ablation treatments or, if possible, chemoembolization. However, the prevalence of this disease has prompted HCC screening of cirrhosis patients, which can allow for earlier diagnosis. If physicians make the diagnosis before the cancer has spread, a combination of tumor-shrinking pharmaceuticals and surgical intervention can be effective.