Lutrelin is an agonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor exerting antineoplastic properties.

Detirelix is a synthetic decapeptide containing five D-amino acids. It is a very potent Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnHR) antagonist. The acute effects of detirelix were consistent with peripheral vasodilation. Subchronic effects were associated with inhibition of pituitary gonadotropic and gonadal hormone secretion. As long-acting GnRH antagonist detirelix can rapidly suppress gonadotropin secretion, inhibit follicular development, and prevent ovulation. It can be used as luteolytic agent. A projected use is for the treatment of sex hormone-releasing diseases, as part of anticancer hormone therapy of sex-hormone-dependent tumors.

Delmitide is the decapeptide with antiinflammatory activity. It is the first low molecular weight compound inhibiting TNF production at a translational level. Also, delmitide inhibits production of IFN-gamma, IL-12 and IL-2. It targets TRAF6/IRAK4/MyD88 complex and inhibits phosphorylation of SAPKs (p38 and JNK). Delmitide inhibits AP1 and NFkB activation. Delmitide was developed for the potential treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; phase II trials for both these indications commenced in October 2001. Phase I trial in chemotherapy-induced diarrhea and the gastrointestinal complications of HIV were also initiated. However, no recent development has been reported.

Prazarelix is gonadorelin (GnRH) antagonist. It is primarily used in assisted reproduction to control ovulation. The drug works by blocking the action of GnRH upon the pituitary, thus rapidly suppressing the production and action of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

ABT-510 is an anti-angiogenesis compound that was under development by Abbott for the treatment of solid tumours, lymphoma and melanoma. It is a synthetic peptide that mimics the anti-angiogenic activity of the endogenous protein thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). ABT-510 inhibits the actions of several pro-angiogenic growth factors important to tumor neovascularization; these pro-angiogenic growth factors include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and interleukin 8 (IL-8).

CBP-501 is a chemically modified duodecapeptide and an analog of M-phase inducer phosphatase 3 (CDC25C) that increase cisplatin influx into tumor cells through an interaction with calmodulin enhancing cisplatin cytotoxicity, and affects cell cycle progression by abrogating DNA repair at the G2 checkpoint. CBP501 selectively inhibits the kinases MAPKAP-K2, C-TAK1, and CHK1 in vitro. Cell lines exposed to CBP501 plus bleomycin show a dose-dependent reduction of phosphorylated Ser216 on CDC25C. In addition to these effects on the G2 checkpoint, CBP501 also increases platinum concentration and DNA-platinum adduct formation in tumor cells through binding with calmodulin. In an in vitro panel testing the sensitivity of several tumor-derived cell lines to CBP501 in combination with a variety of anti-cancer agents, the combination of CBP501 with cisplatin was particularly effective against all four mesothelioma cell lines tested. Unfortunately, CBP-501 does not improve the efficacy of standard chemotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Ularitide is a recombinant form of urodilatin, a natriuretic peptide synthesized in the distal tubular cells of the kidney. It regulates renal sodium and water excretion through binding to natriuretic peptide type A receptors, increasing intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels. While these effects, as well as others such as vasodilation, are also exhibited by other natriuretic peptides, urodilatin has a terminal extension that brings resistance to biological inactivation by neutral endopeptidase, whose activity is increased in decompensated heart failure. Animal studies have demonstrated enhanced diuresis and natriuresis and reduced PCWP (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) and systemic vascular resistance relative to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP [99-126], the active circulating isoform). When injected into the blood, ularitide appears to cause diuresis (urine output) and natriuresis (sodium excretion), as well as vasodilation. Ularitide is currently in Phase 3 development as a potential treatment for patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

Somatoprim (DG3173) is a heptapeptide somatostatin analog (SSA) that binds with high affinity to sstr2, sstr4 and sstr5 and shows a very low insulin suppression in contrast to other SSA. Initially developed by Ipsen, it is under active development by licensee Aspireo Pharmaceuticals, an Israeli company. In vitro as well as in vivo testing showed a dose-dependent GH lowering effect. Somatoprim has demonstrated a unique receptor binding and pharmacological profile which is differentiated from SSAs that are currently marketed or in clinical development. In particular, Somatoprim has shown an improved side effect profile with reduced adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract and glucose metabolism. Furthermore, assessment of growth hormone secretion in cultured human somatotroph adenoma tissue treated with Somatoprim indicates that it has the potential to increase the response rate of acromegalic patients to SSA therapy. Somatoprim is currently in phase I/II of clinical development.