Having dedicated more than a decade to Celsion Corporation, Raj Prabhakar has been heavily involved in liver cancer research and development. Raj Prabhakar oversaw Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer.

HCC is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. While it is unclear what cells cause HCC, studies indicate the condition may derive from hepatic stem cells. The illness predominantly affects patients with underlying chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. The latter develops in people who have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which becomes a problem with the onset of Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Patients with HCC develop tumors that can be identified during routine screenings. Likewise, the masses may cause various symptoms due to location and size, which will alert a person to see a physician. Depending on the individual, an HCC tumor can form as a single mass or diffuse growth. Ablation therapy and surgical resection are options for removing cancerous tumors to avoid liver failure or more severe outcomes.                             

A biotechnology executive in the field of clinical research, Raj Prabhakar has dedicated nearly two decades to the industry. Raj Prabhakar most recently led liver cancer programs at Celsion - EGEN, and currently partners cell therapy programs for Caladrius Biosciences.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the deadliest forms of primary liver cancer. Each year, 26,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States. Worldwide, the population reaches 750,000. Individuals with hepatitis B or C have a higher likelihood of developing the condition. By 2020, the World Health Organization predicts HCC will be the most common form of cancer.

In response to these statistics, Celsion is conducting clinical trials for a product called ThermoDox. It uses radio-frequency ablation (RFA) to release doxorubicin, a type of anthracycline chemotherapy, in targeted regions affected by cancer cells. ThermoDox creates thermal zones in the liver that expand the treatment area, thus providing the ability to destroy micrometastases. The Phase III clinical trial includes 550 patients. A Phase II study is also underway to evaluate the effectiveness of ThermoDox in recurrent chest-wall breast cancer.