image: “It’s deeply rewarding to see DZ-002 advance into Phase 2 trials, marking a promising step forward in cancer treatment and offering hope for improved patient outcomes,” says Professor of Chemistry Maged Henary, associate chair of the Department of Chemistry at Georgia State.
Credit: Courtesy: Georgia State University
A promising cancer therapy developed by Georgia State University researchers and biotech startup Da Zen Theranostics is taking a major step forward, entering Phase 2 clinical trials. The treatment, which harnesses targeted radiation to destroy tumors with precision, could mark a turning point in how cancer is treated — and in the lives of patients who need better options.
“It’s deeply rewarding to see DZ-002 advance into Phase 2 trials, marking a promising step forward in cancer treatment and offering hope for improved patient outcomes,” says Professor of Chemistry Maged Henary, associate chair of the Department of Chemistry at Georgia State. “Knowing that this therapy could help someone live longer or feel even a little better during a difficult time is what drives us every day.”
DZ-002 is an innovative cancer treatment developed through a collaborative effort among Georgia State University, Emory University and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
The technology is based on a fluorescent dye that detects and binds to cancer cells. Acting as a contrast agent and drug delivery vehicle, it allows cancer-fighting compounds to be delivered directly to tumors while sparing healthy tissue — leading to fewer side effects and more effective treatment.
The dye-drug conjugate is developed from a compound that makes tumor cells fluoresce, or light up, which makes them easier to see during imaging and surgery. Henary is the chemist behind the diagnostic innovation MHI-148, which has a chemical structure that illuminates tumors and links with cancer drugs, improving targeted chemotherapy accuracy and helping to bridge the gap between detection and treatment with a single molecule.
“Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with limited options and poor patient outcomes,” says Yu-Ping Cheng, CEO of Da Zen Theranostics Inc. “In our Phase 2 trials, we’re turning our focus to this notoriously tough disease with a bold goal: to extend remission and preserve quality of life for late-stage patients who have no other alternatives.”
Cheng says current therapies fall short in both of these areas, which is why the investigational drug, DZ-002, stands out. With its unique mechanism of action — highly selective uptake into cancer cells and minimal toxicity to healthy tissue — it offers a new approach where others have failed.
“We are excited to see Da Zen Theranostics and Dr. Henary’s breakthrough treatment mark this new milestone,” says Joanne Mitchell, director of Georgia State University's Panther Innovations. “As another Georgia State drug enters mid-stage clinical trials we are watching closely to see how lives can be saved with this innovate treatment platform.”
According to Henary, the development of MHI-148/DZ-002 represents 14 years of research and dedication, including the synthesis, biological studies and filing for Food and Drug Administration disclosures and patent protection.
“My greatest hope for DZ-002 is that it brings new possibilities to cancer treatment and helps save patients’ lives,” Henary says. “It has shown potential in targeting solid tumors and lymphoma. With its progression into Phase 2 clinical trials for pancreatic tumors, I’m optimistic about its prospects.”
The Phase 2 trials are planned to start at HOAG Cancer Center. For more information, visit research.gsu.edu/georgia-state-technology-transfer.
For more information about Georgia State Research, visit research.gsu.edu.