Baicalin is a flavonoid compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity extracted from Scutellarua rivularis. Limited distribution data suggest that baicalin reached several sites such as the brain, eye lens, thymus, etc. Metabolism data suggest the rapid conversion of baicalin to baicalein. Baicalin has the potential to be used in novel anti-cancer therapeutic formulations for treatment of ovarian cancer and other cancers. Baicalin markedly inhibits replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in a concentration-dependent manner in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in vitro. The preventive medication of baicalin shows a protective effect on C57 BL mouse with Parkinson's disease induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP).

Lonidamine is a derivative of the indazole-3-carboxylic acid, with limited antineoplastic activity as a single agent but with exceptional potential in modulating the activities of conventional chemotherapeutic agents such as N-mustard alkylating agents and anthracyclines as well as hyperthermia, radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy. The most critical property of Lonidamine is its selective activity against a broad range of tumors with little to no effect on normal tissues provided that doses are below a threshold level of ~400 mg/m^2 (oral or i.v. doses). Selective effects of Lonidamine on tumors compared to other potential targets probably result from the dependence of most tumors on glycolytic metabolism, but the exact mechanism of specificity is still not fully known. Current evidence indicates that Lonidamine inhibits lactate export by the proton-linked monocarboxylate transporter(s) (MCT) and pyruvate uptake into mitochondria via the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), whereas inhibition of respiration involves both diminished mitochondrial uptake of pyruvate via the MPC as well as inhibition of the mitochondrial electron-transport chain at Complex II and perhaps also Complex I, in both instances at the ubiquinone reduction step. There is also evidence that the drug may indirectly inhibit hexokinase as well as possibly other glycolytic and pentose shunt enzymes as a result of cytosolic acidification. Key problems that remain to be addressed are the production of Lonidamine under GMP conditions since Angelini Pharmaceuticals in Rome, Italy, the sole commercial source of this drug, stopped producing it in 2006. In addition, utilization of Lonidamine in the US requires IND approval by the FDA, which has previously been granted for a number of clinical trials. Finally, even though LND is a potent enhancer of the activity of a number of potent anti-cancer agents, potentially less toxic (and patentable) “targeted-tumor agents” are replacing traditional chemotherapy. Another problem remaining to be addressed is the limited solubility of Lonidamine at neutral pH. Oral delivery has led to variable results; more soluble derivatives that can be administered by the intravenous administration are needed to accurately control the dosing schedules.

Cediranib (AZD-2171) is a VEGFR-2 kinase inhibitor which was developed by AstraZeneca for the treatment of cancer. The drug reached the final stage of approval by European Medicines Agency in 2008 under the name Zemfirza (it was recommended to be taken in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy), however on 19 September 2016 AstraZeneca decided to withdraw the Marketing Authorisation Application.

Pirarubicin is a new kind of anthracene nucleus broad-spectrum antitumor antibiotic. This compound was rapidly incorporated into tumor cells, inhibiting DNA polymerase alpha, DNA topoisomerase II and subsequently DNA synthesis. Inhibition of RNA synthesis was also noted. It is indicated as an antineoplastic agent for the treatment of the following diseases: head and neck cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer, urothelial cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, acute leukemia, malignant lymphoma. Among the side effects, cardiac toxicity, alopecia and disturbance of the digestive organs were mild.

Levormeloxifene (INN) is an experimental selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that was being developed as an alternative to estrogen replacement therapy for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal bone loss. Levormeloxifene is the levorotatory enantiomer of non-hormonal, non-steroidal oral contraceptive -- ormeloxifene (trade names Novex-DS, Centron, and Sevista). The development of Levormeloxifene was stopped because of a high incidence of gynecologic adverse events during clinical trials.

Pimasertib) (N-[(2S)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl]-3-[(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)amino]isonicotinamide hydrochloride; AS703026), a highly selective, potent, ATP non-competitive allosteric inhibitor of MEK1/2. It binds to MEK1/2 in an allosteric site that is distinct from, yet in close proximity to, the ATP binding site. Binding to this allosteric site prevents the activation of MEK1/2. Pimasertib continues to be investigated in patients with NRAS mutant malignant melanoma in a Phase II trial. This drug was discontinued in a combination with SAR245409 for Phase II study in low-grade serous ovarian cancer. This decision was based on the results of a futility analysis, conducted by the IDMC, which indicated that the trial was no longer expected to achieve its objective of showing a meaningful difference between the efficacies of the combination compared with pimasertib alone. The further development of pimasertib in pancreatic cancer was also discontinued, as a Phase II study in this indication did not reach its primary endpoint of prolongation of progression-free survival

Carboquone (CQ) is an anticancer alkylating agent synthesized and developed by Arakawa et al. (Sankyo Co, Ltd.) in 1970, having chemical structure, 2,5-bis-(1-aziridinyl)-3-(2-carbamoyloxy-1-methoxyethyl)-6-methyl- 1,4- benzoquinone. The antitumor efficacies of CQ were reported as excellent, however, the side effects are considerably strong. Carboquone is used to treat various forms of cancer. It is indicated for the treatment of metastatic testicular tumors, metastatic ovarian tumors and advanced bladder cancer.

Belotecan is a semisynthetic analogue of camptothecin containing a 2-(N-isopropylamino) ethyl group linkage at position C-7 of the camptothecin ring. It stabilizes the complex formed between topoisomerase I and DNA, thereby preventing the religation of DNA breaks. This leads to an inhibition of DNA replication and triggers apoptotic cell death. Belotecan was approved in Korea under the name Camtobell for the treatment of patients with ovarian and small cell lung cancers.

Nedaplatin is a second-generation cisplatin analogue with antineoplastic activity. nedaplatin forms reactive platinum complexes that bind to nucelophillic groups in DNA, resulting in intrastrand and interstrand DNA cross-links, apoptosis and cell death. It is currently registered for the treatment of various cancers (head and neck, testicular, lung, ovarian, cervical, non-small-cell lung) in Japan. The most commonly reported adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and hair loss. Nedaplatin may also cause nephrotoxicity at therapeutic doses, especially in patients with deteriorating renal function.

Acivicin is a modified amino acid and structural analog of glutamine, that irreversibly inhibits glutamine-dependent amidotransferases involved in nucleotide and amino acid biosynthesis. Acivicin is a potent antitumor agent that induces apoptosis in human lymphoblastoid cells. Phase I dose-escalating studies conducted in cancer patients administered acivicin showed reversible, dose-limiting CNS toxicity, characterized by lethargy, confusion and decreased mental status.