Jennifer Gregg, PhD

Despite the widespread prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), effective treatment options for both primary and secondary liver tumors have remained elusive, as these tumors are difficult to manage, especially in cases where the tumor is unresectable.

The hepatic portal vein is critical to normal liver function and supplies approximately 75% of the blood supply to the liver. In the general population, portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is relatively rare, occurring with an incidence of about in 1 in 100,000 people.

Both in the United States and worldwide, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is on the rise, and, despite extensive research, sorafenib (Nexavar) remains the only FDA-approved systemic therapy available for advanced tumors.