A Harvard Business School alumnus, Raj Prabhakar has dedicated almost 20 years of his career to the pharmaceutical science and medical fields. In his role as Vice President of Business Development at Celsion Corporation, Raj Prabhakar leads development and commercial planning activities for liver cancer treatments.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 35,660 new cases of liver cancer and intraheptic bile duct cancer, which impacts the organs running from the liver to the small intestines, are expected in 2015. An estimated 24,550 individuals, predominantly male, will pass away from either of these conditions.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of primary liver cancer and can develop from scarring of the liver, also known as cirrhosis. Those living with hepatocellular carcinoma demonstrate few early symptoms, that may include an enlarged abdomen, jaundice, or abdominal pain. Additionally, they are more susceptible to bleeding and bruising. Doctors traditionally screen with CT scans and liver biopsies to diagnose and confirm the disease's presence. MRIs and abdominal ultrasounds, while less common, may also be used.
Depending on the cancer’s progression, a doctor may administer trans-arterial chemotherapy prior to any invasive or surgical procedure to reduce the size of a tumor. This neoadjuvant medication is directly injected into the liver utilizing a catheter. Other forms of treatment may include radiation beads or radiofrequency ablation.
Currently, Celsion Corporation is conducting clinical trials that administer ThermoDox as an adjuvant to radiofrequency ablation to treat liver cancers.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 35,660 new cases of liver cancer and intraheptic bile duct cancer, which impacts the organs running from the liver to the small intestines, are expected in 2015. An estimated 24,550 individuals, predominantly male, will pass away from either of these conditions.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of primary liver cancer and can develop from scarring of the liver, also known as cirrhosis. Those living with hepatocellular carcinoma demonstrate few early symptoms, that may include an enlarged abdomen, jaundice, or abdominal pain. Additionally, they are more susceptible to bleeding and bruising. Doctors traditionally screen with CT scans and liver biopsies to diagnose and confirm the disease's presence. MRIs and abdominal ultrasounds, while less common, may also be used.
Depending on the cancer’s progression, a doctor may administer trans-arterial chemotherapy prior to any invasive or surgical procedure to reduce the size of a tumor. This neoadjuvant medication is directly injected into the liver utilizing a catheter. Other forms of treatment may include radiation beads or radiofrequency ablation.
Currently, Celsion Corporation is conducting clinical trials that administer ThermoDox as an adjuvant to radiofrequency ablation to treat liver cancers.