MP-412 (AV-412) is a potent dual inhibitor of EGFR and ErbB2 tyrosine kinases, including the mutant EGFR (L858R,T790M), which is clinically resistant to the EGFR-specific kinase inhibitors erlotinib and gefitinib. AV-412 has potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancers expressing EGFR and ErbB2, especially those resistant to the first generation of small-molecule inhibitors.AVEO Pharmaceuticals was developing AV-412 for the treatment of cancer, however development has been discontinued.

Combretastatin A4 is a vascular disrupting agent (VDA) that targets tumor vasculature to inhibit angiogenesis. Combretastatin A4 is a tubulin-binding agent that binds at or near the colchicine binding site of β-tubulin and inhibits tubulin assembly. This tubulin-binding agent was originally isolated from an African shrub, Combretum caffrum. Combretastatin A4 is cytotoxic to umbilical-vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to a range of cells derived from primary tumors and these cytotoxicity profiles have been used to assess several novel analogs of the drug for future development. Combretastatin A4 has antitumor activity by inhibiting AKT function. The inhibited AKT activation causes decreased cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and reduced in vitro migration/invasiveness and in vivo metastatic ability. Several studies in mice have shown that a single administration of combretastatin A4 (100 mg/kg) does not significantly affect primary tumor growth. However, repeated administration (12.5 – 25.0mg/kg twice daily) for periods of 10 – 20 days resulted in approximately 50% retardation of growth of ectopic Lewis lung carcinoma and substantial growth delay of T138 spontaneous murine breast tumors. In clinical studies, Combretastatin A4 has been well tolerated in patients at doses up to 56 mg/m2, following a protocol of five daily 10-minute intravenous infusions every 21 days. The disodium combretastatin A4 phosphate prodrug is currently undergoing clinical trials in the UK and USA.

Japan Tobacco developed JTV-519 (known also as K201) as an antiarrhythmic agent. This drug was in Phase II trials for the potential treatment of Atrial Fibrillation, but study was terminated. In experimental myofibrillar overcontraction models, JTV-519 demonstrated greater cardioprotectant effects than propranolol, also, this drug investigated against heart failure, but then these researches have been discontinued. In addition, K201 was in phase II clinical trial for investigation its topical implementation for Atopic Dermatitis. The mechanism of its action is both complex and controversial, known that it is a non-specific blocker of sodium, potassium and calcium channels (multiple-channel blocker). It is believed to stabilize the closed state of the RyR2 (cardiac ryanodine receptor) by increasing its affinity for the FKBP12.6 (12.6 kDa FK506 binding protein), in addition was suggested, that suppression of spontaneous Ca2 release and the activity of RyR2 contributes, at least in part, to the anti-arrhythmic properties of K201.

Afuresertib (GSK2110183 ) is an orally bioavailable inhibitor of the serine/threonine protein kinase Akt (protein kinase B) with potential antineoplastic activity. Afuresertib binds to and inhibits the activity of Akt, which may result in inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and tumor cell proliferation and the induction of tumor cell apoptosis. Activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is frequently associated with tumorigenesis and dysregulated PI3K/Akt signaling may contribute to tumor resistance to a variety of antineoplastic agents. Preclinically, AKT inhibition by afuresertib can reverse platinum resistance in ovarian cancer cell lines isolated from patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Afuresertib is well tolerated and demonstrates clinical activity as monotherapy in heavily pretreated MM patients. Is in phase II clinical trials for Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; Haematological malignancies; Histiocytosis.

Abexinostat (PCI-24781) is a novel, second-generation phenyl hydroxamic acid–based, orally bioavailable HDAC inhibitor that has previously been shown to have activity in vitro and in vivo against a broad array of cancers, including hematopoietic malignancies and bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. Abexinostat is a pan-HDAC inhibitor mostly targeting HDAC1 with Ki of 7 nM, modest potent to HDACs 2, 3, 6, and 10 and greater than 40-fold selectivity against HDAC8. Abexinostat exhibits potent antitumor activity against a variety of tumor cell lines with GI50 ranging from 0.15 uM to 3.09 uM. PCI-24781 also has an antiproliferative effect on HUVEC endothelial cells with GI50 of 0.43 uM. Abexinostat treatment causes dose-dependent accumulation of both acetylated histones and acetylated tubulin in HCT116 or DLD-1 cells, induces expression of p21, and leads to PARP cleavage and accumulation of the γH2AX. It has also shown good tolerability and activity in Phase I and II clinical trials against lymphoma, as well as against solid tumors in Phase-I trials. Additionally, it acts as a potent radiosensitizing agent and is synergistic with cytotoxic chemotherapy, such as doxorubicin in preclinical models.

NMED-160 (also known as MK-6721, NP-118809, Z-160) is a potent N-type calcium channel blockers, which has good selectivity over L-type calcium channels. Neuromed Pharmaceuticals developed this compound for the treatment of the chronic pain. However, that study was discontinued in 2007 in spite of absence of adverse events, but because drug did not demonstrate the ideal, pharmaceutical characteristics considered necessary to advance the compound further in development. Then Zalicus, Inc. was developing that drug for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain associated with lumbosacral radiculopathy and post-herpetic neuralgia and drug was in the phase II clinical trial. Nevertheless, based on the result from trials, where Z160 did not meet the primary endpoint, Zalicus was also discontinuing the Z160 program.

Tecalcet (also known as KRN-568; NPS-R-568; R-568), is an oral calcium channel agonist potentially for the treatment of hyperparathyroidism. Calcimimetics, such as Tecalcet, are agonists and activate the calcium channel in a non-competitive fashion. Tecalcet does not compete directly with calcium that activates the receptor through binding in the extracellular domain of these receptors, but rather, calcimimetics such as Tecalcet, bind allosterically in the seven transmembranes to ‘sensitize’ the receptor to extracellular calcium. Tecalcet acts as an agonist of the calcium receptors of the parathyroid cells, causing a decrease in PTH release. Tecalcet also acts on the parafollicular cells (C-cells) of the thyroid gland, resulting in an increase in calcitonin release. These effects ultimately lead to a decrease in plasma calcium concentrations. Studies in rats have shown that oral administration of R-568 at doses ranging from 3 to 100 mg/kg caused a rapid (<30 minutes) decrease in plasma PTH concentrations and an increase in calcitonin concentrations, accompanied by a dose-dependent decrease in calcium concentrations. Tecalcet had been in phase II clinical trials by for the treatment of hyperparathyroidism, postmenopausal osteoporosis and rheumatic disorders in Japan and US. Development of Tecalcet has been discontinued.

Omtriptolide (previously known as PG490-88 or F60008), an immunosuppressant that has been shown to be the safe and potent antitumor agent and it has been approved entry into Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of prostate cancer in the USA. In addition, the drug is participating in phase I clinical trial for the treatment of myeloid leukemia. Experiments on animals have shown omtriptolide was highly effective in the prevention of murine graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The immunosuppressive effect of the drug was mediated by inhibition of alloreactive T cell expansion through interleukin-2 production. However, this study was discontinued. Recently published article has shown omtriptolide possesses the potential as a prophylactic agent to prevent ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced lung injury.

Hydroxytamoxifen (Afimoxifene) is an active metabolite of tamoxifen exerting estrogen receptor modulatory function. In addition, hydroxytamoxifen binds to regulates transcriptional activity of the estrogen-related receptor gamma. ASCEND Therapeutics, Inc. was developing TamoGel (4-hydroxytamoxifen gel) for a variety of estrogen-dependent conditions, including breast cancer, cyclic breast pain and gynecomastia.

Cevipabulin is a synthetic, water-soluble tubulin-binding agent with potential antineoplastic activity. Cevipabulin appears to bind at the vinca-binding site on tubulin but seems to act more similar to taxane-site binding agents in that it enhances tubulin polymerization and does not induce tubulin depolymerization. The disruption in microtubule dynamics may eventually inhibit cell division and reduce cellular growth.