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.                             

A longtime operations executive in the biopharmaceutical industry, Raj Prabhakar serves as Senior Vice President of Business Development at Caladrius Biosciences. Previously, Raj Prabhakar oversaw liver cancer research efforts at Celsion Corporation, leading a number of clinical trials using ThermoDox treatment.

Celsion has implemented its unique heat-based Lyso-Thermosensitive Liposomal Doxorubicin (LTLD) technology to create a number of liver cancer treatments. Recently, the company has incorporated the popular cancer pharmaceutical doxorubicin in its patented ThermoDox product. When heated to a temperature of 39.5 degrees Celsius, the product’s liposome alters its form, creating small holes through which doxorubicin enters the patient’s cancerous tissue.

With this method, Celsion has conducted several clinical trials to assess the use of ThermoDox in the treatment of unresectable cancers of the liver. The FDA most recently granted clearance to initiate an OPTIMA study, which aims to determine the effectiveness of ThermoDox when used in combination with traditional radio-frequency ablation (RFA) treatment. The trial is assessing the treatment of more than 550 patients across 100 international clinical trial sites. By implementing the product 15 minutes prior to RFA, researchers have seen a nearly 60 percent improvement in overall survival (OS) rate of those with liver cancer. In a subgroup of 285 patients, this optimized treatment has also increased typical OS from 53.6 to nearly 80 months. 

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.                             

Since 2004, Raj Prabhakar has worked at Celsion Corporation and serves as the Vice President of Business Development at Celsion Corporation, which develops innovative drug development technologies. Raj Prabhakar currently manages collaborative licensing and project development efforts for the corporation’s liver cancer and oncology programs.

A person’s risk of developing liver cancer can be increased by a wide range of physical and environmental factors, including hemochromatosis and aflatoxin exposure. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, primary hemochromatosis has been defined as a genetic disorder that occurs at birth. People with primary hemochromatosis absorb excessive amounts of iron via the digestive tract, and that iron accumulates in the body, particularly the liver. Secondary, or acquired, hemochromatosis can be caused by other blood-related disorders, multiple blood transfusions, or long-term alcohol abuse.

Along with hemochromatosis, liver cancer can be caused by exposure to aflatoxins, which are toxins created by molds that develop on improperly stored crops. The Mayo Clinic explains that aflatoxins can contaminate products like peanuts or corn that are then used to make other foods. While safety regulations in the United States limit Americans’ risk of aflatoxin exposure, aflatoxin contamination is more prevalent in regions of Asia and Africa.                             

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.                             

After graduating with dual bachelors of science degrees in mechanical engineering and biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Raj Prabhakar went on to pursue an interest in management and business at the Harvard Business School, where he earned an MBA. Over the course of nearly 20 years, Raj Prabhakar has focused the bulk of his professional efforts on funding cancer research.

New medical studies suggest that patients with liver cancer may have higher survival rates if tumors are diagnosed and treated early, but liver tumor tissue is difficult to detect using traditional CT and MRI techniques. However, a team of researchers at MIT and the University of California, San Diego recently developed a new method that simply involves eating yogurt.

Utilizing a strain of engineered E. coli bacteria embedded in the yogurt, the team was able to develop a harmless compound that bonds to liver tumors and produces a chemical marker in the urine. In mouse trials, the bacteria were able to diagnose metastatic tumors as small as one cubic millimeter with 90 percent accuracy, a significantly higher sensitivity than current CT and MRI scans provide.

Researchers suggest that the new method could be used to monitor tumor reccurrence in cancer patients as well as make initial diagnoses. In addition, ongoing research will focus on methods to deliver drugs and disrupt cancer cells through probiotic bacteria.