Florilglutamic acid enters cells through a transport system known as xC- (cystine/glutamate antiporter) which is more abundant in cancer tissue. Florilglutamic acid (18F) is a radioactive compound for use with an imaging method known as positron emission tomography (PET). When injected into the patient, florilglutamic acid (18F) is more effectively taken up by the cancer cells in the liver from where it is expected to emit radiation that can be detected in a PET scan, thereby allowing the cancer to be diagnosed. Orphan designation (EU/3/16/1632) was granted by the European Commission to Piramal Imaging GmbH, Germany, for florilglutamic acid (18F) for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Boldine, an aporphine alkaloid, found abundantly in the leaves/bark of boldo (Peumus boldus Molina) widely consumed in the folk medicine of some regions. Boldine possesses various pharmacological properties including, anticancer activity. It exhibits a significant improvement of learning and memory through inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase activity and alleviation of brain oxidative stress, which was shown on animal models. Boldine is a potentially useful agent for the treatment of leishmaniosis. In addition, it suppresses osteoclastogenesis, improves bone destruction and may be a potential therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis. Besides, was shown, that boldine inhibits telomerase in cells treated with sub-cytotoxic concentrations. Telomerase inhibition occurs via down-regulation of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the catalytic subunit of the enzyme.

Fluasterone is a fluorinated derivative of an endogenous steroid hormone androstenolone (dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA). According to in vivo studies, fluasterone possess endocrinologic effects manifested in increased estrous cycle length and decreased the weights of the uterus, prostate, seminal vesicles, and testes. The mechanism of action of fluasterone is not yet fully elucidated, but most likely involve inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate hydrogenase. Fluasterone was developed by Aeson Therapeutics and was investigated in the late 1990s for the treatment of asthma, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. The development of fluasterone for discontinued, probably due to a combination of low potency and insufficient oral bioavailability. Later, the development of fluasterone was continued by the company SteroTherapeutics. In 2018 the FDA has granted an orphan drug designation for fluasterone for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatosis, and hyperglycemia in patients with Cushing’s syndrome.

Isobutyramide (VX-366) is an orally available branched chain amide that may offer an alternative to current treatments for beta-hemoglobinopathy. Isobutyramide has been shown to increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in patients with beta-hemoglobinopathies. Isobutyramide was originated at the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute which, in 1993, granted exclusive worldwide rights for the agent to Vertex. However, development of Isobutyramide has been discontinued for sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia.