Artenimol (dihydroartemisinin) is a derivate of antimalarial compound artemisinin. Artenimol (dihydroartemisinin) is able to reach high concentrations within the parasitized erythrocytes. Its endoperoxide bridge is thought to be essential for its antimalarial activity, causing free-radical damage to parasite membrane systems including: • Inhibition of falciparum sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase, • Interference with mitochondrial electron transport • Interference with parasite transport proteins • Disruption of parasite mitochondrial function. Dihydroartemisinin in combination with piperaquine tetraphosphate (Eurartesim, EMA-approved in 2011) is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The formulation meets WHO recommendations, which advise combination treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria to reduce the risk of resistance development, with artemisinin-based preparations regarded as the ‘policy standard’. However, experimental testing demonstrates that, due to its intrinsic chemical instability, dihydroartemisinin is not suitable to be used in pharmaceutical formulations. In addition, data show that the currently available dihydroartemisinin preparations fail to meet the internationally accepted stability requirements.

Choline C 11 injection was approved to help diagnose recurrent prostate cancer. It is used for a procedure called positron emission tomography (PET) scan to detect tumors that are not detectable by other scanning procedures, such as bone scan, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Choline C 11 is a radioactive diagnostic agent, the analog of choline. Choline is involved in the synthesis of the structural components of cell membranes, as well as modulation of transmembrane signaling. Increased phospholipid synthesis (i.e., increased uptake of choline) has been associated with cell proliferation and the transformation process that occurs in tumor cells. Recently, Choline C 11 PET was studied for diagnosis the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma; although the phase II of clinical trials was not begun.

Sorafenib (BAY 43-9006), marketed as Nexavar by Bayer, is a drug approved for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (primary kidney cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) that is refractory to radioactive iodine treatment. It has also received "Fast Track" designation by the FDA for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer), and has since performed well in Phase III trials. Sorafenib was shown to interact with multiple intracellular (CRAF, BRAF and mutant BRAF) and cell surface kinases (KIT, FLT- 3, VEGFR- 2, VEGFR- 3, and PDGFR- ß). Several of these kinases are thought to be involved in angiogenesis. Thus, sorafenib may inhibit tumor growth by a dual mechanism, acting either directly on the tumor (through inhibition of Raf and Kit signaling) and/or on tumor angiogenesis (through inhibition of VEGFR and PDGFR signaling). Sorafenib inhibited tumor growth of the murine renal cell carcinoma, RENCA, and several other human tumor xenografts in athymic mice. A reduction in tumor angiogenesis was seen in some tumor xenograft models.

Refametinib (RDEA-119, BAY- 869766) is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of mitogen-activated ERK kinase (MEK1/2) activity, Refametinib binds to an allosteric pocket adjacent to the ATP binding site, locking the enzyme in a catalytically inactive conformation. This compound is highly efficacious at inhibiting cell proliferation in several tumor cell lines in vitro. In vivo, Refametinib exhibits potent activity in xenograft models of cancers. Ardea Biosciences (a subsidiary of AstraZeneca) and Bayer HealthCare are developing refametinib for the treatment of cancer. The sulfonamide agent was originally developed by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International. Refametinib is in phase II development for hepatocellular carcinoma, and phase I/II development for pancreatic cancer and other solid tumours.

The dihydrochloride salt of nolatrexed, a water-soluble lipophilic quinazoline folate analog with antineoplastic activity. Nolatrexed occupies the folate binding site of thymidylate synthase, resulting in inhibition of thymidylate synthase activity and thymine nucleotide synthesis with subsequent inhibition of DNA replication, DNA damage, S-phase cell cycle arrest, and caspase-dependent apoptosis. This agent also exhibits radiosensitizing activity. Orphan designation of nolatrexed was granted in the Unites States of America for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Linifanib (ABT-869) is a structurally novel, receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor that is a potent inhibitor of members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor families, but has much less activity against unrelated RTKs, soluble tyrosine kinases, or serine/threonine kinases. Linifanib (ABT-869) does not have a general antiproliferative effect due to its high dose requirement. However, it may exhibit potent antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on tumor cells whose proliferation is dependent on mutant kinases, such as FMS-related tyrosine kinase receptor-3 (FLT3). Linifanib (ABT-869) was in phase III clinical trial for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, but the study failed to meet the primary end point.

Batabulin or T138067 (2-fluoro-1-methoxy-4-pentafluorophenylsulfonamidobenzene) covalently and selectively modifies the beta1, beta2, and beta4 isotypes of beta-tubulin at a conserved cysteine residue, thereby disrupting microtubule polymerization. Cells exposed to batabulin become altered in shape, indicating a collapse of the cytoskeleton, and show an increase in chromosomal ploidy. Batabulin is equally efficacious in inhibiting the growth of sensitive and multidrug-resistant human tumor xenografts in athymic nude mice. Batabulin has been in clinical trials for the treatment of cancers (breast cancer, colorectal cancer, glioma, hepatocellular carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer). It does not have clinical activity in the treatment of colorectal cancer and glioma. Batabulin development was discontinued.

Dovitinib is an orally active small molecule that exhibits potent inhibitory activity against multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) involved in tumor growth and angiogenesis. Dovitinib strongly binds to fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) and inhibits its phosphorylation, which may result in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and the induction of tumor cell death. In addition, this agent may inhibit other members of the RTK superfamily, including the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor; fibroblast growth factor receptor 1; platelet-derived growth factor receptor type 3; FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3; stem cell factor receptor (c-KIT); and colony-stimulating factor receptor 1; this may result in an additional reduction in cellular proliferation and angiogenesis, and the induction of tumor cell apoptosis. There are several ongoing Phase I/III clinical trials for dovitinib.

AZD1480 is a novel agent that inhibits Janus-associated kinases 1 and 2 (JAK1 and JAK2). In phase I study, AZD1480 was administered as an oral QD or b.i.d. monotherapy to patients with advanced solid tumors at eight dose levels in the ranges of 10–70 mg QD and 20–45 mg b.i.d. using a standard 3 3 design. AZD1480 had fast absorption, fast elimination, and dose-dependent increase in exposure from 10 mg to 50 mg. Unusual toxicity profile and overall lack of clinical activity led to discontinuation of development of AZD1480.

Orantinib (SU-6668) is an orally bioavailable receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Orantinib binds to and inhibits the autophosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), thereby inhibiting angiogenesis and cell proliferation. Orantinib also inhibits the phosphorylation of the stem cell factor receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit, often expressed in acute myelogenous leukemia cells. Orantinib was in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of breast cancer. It was also in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, this research was terminated in 2014. The compound was originally developed by Sugen (subsidiary of Pfizer). In 1998, a co-development agreement took place between Sugen and Taiho for the compound.