Rigosertib sodium (ON 01910.Na) is a small molecule inhibitor of critical pathways important in the growth and survival of cancer cells, being developed by Onconova Therapeutics ("Onconova") for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Rigosertib (ON-01910) is a non-ATP-competitive inhibitor of PLK1 with IC50 of 9 nM in a cell-free assay. It shows 30-fold greater selectivity against Plk2 and no activity to Plk3. Extensive Phase I and Phase II studies with rigosertib have been conducted at leading institutions in the U.S. and abroad in more than 450 patients with solid tumors and hematological cancers, including MDS and AML. MDS and AML are blood disorders widely recognized as difficult to manage, with limited therapeutic options available for patients, especially those with drug-resistant disease. The multi-site Phase III ONTIME trial in MDS patients is under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) from the U.S. FDA and is being supported by an award from the Therapeutics Acceleration Program (TAP) of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation for the use of rigosertib in MDS. The clinical program in solid tumors is also advancing with initiation of the Phase II/III combination ONTRAC trial (ON 01910.Na TRial in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer) and Phase II single agent trial in ovarian cancer. In Japan, SymBio is developing rigosertib for the treatment of refractory/relapsed HR-MDS (IV form) and first-line LR-MDS (oral form).

Brivanib is a pyrrolotriazine-based compound and an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) with potential antineoplastic activity. It specifically targets and strongly binds to human VEGFR-2, a tyrosine kinase receptor and pro-angiogenic growth factor expressed almost exclusively on vascular endothelial cells. Blockade of VEGFR-2 by this agent may lead to an inhibition of VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell migration and proliferation, thereby inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. Brivanib has a moderate potency compared to VEGFR-2 against VEGFR-1 and FGFR-1 as well. Brivanib is suggested to be efficient in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As first-line and as second-line therapy brivanib demonstrated promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced, unresectable HCC in phase II clinical trials. On 3 march 2011, orphan designation was granted by the European Commission to Bristol-Myers Squibb for brivanib alaninate for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.[

Anamorelin is a first-in-class, orally active ghrelin receptor agonist that binds and stimulates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor centrally, thereby mimicking the appetite-enhancing and anabolic effects of ghrelin. Anamorelin is under development by Helsinn Therapeutics for the treatment of cancer cachexia and anorexia. Anamorelin has completed phase III clinical trials for the treatment of cancer cachexia and anorexia associated with non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Results of the studies were positive, and the drug is now in preregistration with the European Medicines Agency.

Vadimezan (5,6-dimethyl(xanthenone-4-acetic acid), ASA404, DMXAA) is a fused tricyclic analogue of flavone acetic acid with potential antineoplastic activity. In pre-clinical mouse tumour models it was demonstrated that administration of Vadimezan rapidly leads to disruption of the existing vasculature in the tumour and consequent haemorrhagic necrosis of the tumour. This was consistent with the finding that a single dose of Vadimezan induced a prolonged reduction in the growth of xenografted tumours in animal models. The ability to disrupt the vasculature in these pre-clinical models has been attributed to a rapid induction of cytokines, particularly TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α), serotonin and nitric oxide, resulting in hemorrhagic necrosis and a decrease in angiogenesis. Despite the fact that the molecular targets for the drug remained unknown, the promising pre-clinical results led to Vadimezan being selected for clinical development. Results of Phase I trials showed some restriction of tumour blood flow within 24 h of treatment, although this was not as dramatic as seen in pre-clinical models. Unlike the animal models, there was also very little evidence for the rapid death of blood vessels or for increases in TNFα levels in human tumors. No difference in antitumour activity, cytokine induction or toxicity was observed between two parallel Phase I trials, one dosed weekly and the other dosed every 3 weeks. Therefore the drug proceeded to Phase II clinical trials, dosed every 21 days in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. These trials indicated the drug had small benefits in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer and prostate cancer. However, a subsequent Phase III clinical trial was not able to reproduce this response and clinical development was halted.

LY404039 [(-)-(1R,4S,5S,6S)-4-amino-2-sulfonylbicyclo[3.1.0]-hexane-4,6-dicarboxylic acid] is an agonist of orthosteric metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)2/3. In addition, it acts as an agonist at dopamine D2 receptors. LY404039 demonstrated broad antipsychotic and anxiolytic efficacy across multiple animal models. LY-2140023 is a methionine amide prodrug of LY-404039 being developed by Eli Lilly & Co for the potential oral treatment of schizophrenia.

Tasisulam sodium, previously known as LY573636, were initially recognized by Eli Lilly for their significant antiproliferative activities in solid tumor cell lines, but their mechanism of action was unknown. Subsequent studies have revealed that LY573636 induces apoptosis via a mitochondrial-mediated mechanism that appears unique among other anti-cancer compounds. This drug was in the phase III clinical trial for the treatment of Metastatic Melanoma and in phase II for the treatment Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, but these studies were discontinued. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats and dogs indicate that tasisulam is metabolized primarily by the liver, and has low total plasma clearance with a relatively long half-life. In addition, there was preclinical evidence of a correlation between the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of tasisulam and toxicity.

Efletirizine is histamine H1 receptor antagonist. Restricted to topical use. It was under investigation in Phase III (in Europe) clinical studies for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticarial. Research was discontinued in 2005 due to limited clinical efficacy and safety data. Efletirizine also reduced ocular itching.

Enciprazine also known as WY-48624 or, D-3112 is a GABA A receptor agonist which was in the phase III of clinical trial for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Enciprazine was well tolerated, with low levels of sedative and asthenic side effects reported. However, research was discontinued.

Ombrabulin is an experimental drug candidate discovered by Ajinomoto and further developed by Sanofi-Aventis for cancer treatment. Ombrabulin is a synthetic water-soluble analog of combretastatin A4, derived from the South African willow bush (Combretum caffrum), with potential vascular-disrupting and antineoplastic activities. Ombrabulin binds to the colchicine binding site of endothelial cell tubulin, inhibiting tubulin polymerization and inducing mitotic arrest and apoptosis in endothelial cells. As apoptotic endothelial cells detach from their substrate, tumor blood vessels collapse; the acute disruption of tumor blood flow may result in tumor necrosis. Ombrabulin has been used in trials studying the treatment of Sarcoma, Neoplasms, Solid Tumor, Neoplasms, Malignant, and Advanced Solid Tumors, among others. In January 2013, Sanofi said it discontinued development of Ombrabulin after disappointing results from phase III clinical trials.

Galunisertib is a potent inhibitor of TGF beta type 1 receptor. The drug is under clinical development for the treatment of different cancers: pancreatic, hepatocellular, breast, rectal, prostate etc. and reached phase 2/3 in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.