Resatorvid (TAK-242) is a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonist that was designed for the treatment of severe sepsis because of its inhibitory effect on suppressing cytokine levels. This compound suppresses production of inflammatory mediators by inhibiting signal transduction through TLR4. It has also been shown that topical resatorvid, in a UV-induced skin tumorigenesis model, displays photochemopreventive activity, suppressing tumor area and multiplicity. Resatorvid has furthermore shown neuroprotective effects after traumatic brain injury (in a mouse model). Phase III studies evaluating the effects of resatorvid on sepsis have been completed. One such study was ended after it was determined that there was insufficient cytokine suppression in the first stage of the study.

Talotrexin (also known as PT-523) was developed as a nonpolyglutamatable antifolate drug for the treatment of various types of tumors. It is known that antifolates are a class of cytotoxic or antineoplastic agents, which inhibit or prevent the maturation and proliferation of malignant cells. Talotrexin was studied in clinical trials for the treatment of brain and central nervous system tumors, leukemia, lymphoma, unspecified childhood solid tumor. However, this study was withdrawn because of toxicity. In addition, was studied in phase I/II multicenter clinical trial in patients with non-small-cell Lung carcinoma, this study was also withdrawn. The withdrawal was related to incidences of dose-limiting mucositis and myelosuppression. However, on May 22, 2006, was announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug designation for talotrexin in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Liarozole is an imidazole-containing compound that inhibits the cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolism of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). Liarozole, a retinoic acid (RA) metabolism-blocking agent (RAMBA) in clinical development, has been granted orphan drug designation for congenital ichthyosis by the European Commission and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Later, based on the mixed results from a phase II/III trial of liarozole for the treatment of ichthyosis, Barrier decided to discontinue the development of liarozole. Liarozole displays antitumor activity against androgen-dependent and independent rat prostate carcinomas.A large phase III international study was completed comparing liarozole 300 mg twice daily with cyproterone acetate (CPA) 100 mg twice daily in a total of 321 patients with metastatic prostate cancer in relapse after first-line endocrine therapy. The results indicate that liarozole might be a possible treatment option for prostate cancer (PCA) following failure of first-line endocrine therapy.

Perifosine is an orally active alkyl-phosphocholine compound with potential antineoplastic activity. Perifosine is an Akt inhibitor, which targets the pleckstrin homology domain of Akt, thereby preventing its translocation to the plasma membrane. Perifosine exerts Akt-dependent and Akt-independent effects, and although many preclinical studies have documented Akt inhibition by perifosine, clinical validation of these findings is lacking. Perifosine is in phase II and III clinical trials for the treatment of neuroblastoma, glioblastoma multiforme and other solid tumors.

IROFULVEN is a semisynthetic derivative of a natural sesquiterpene toxin illudin S, isolated from the fungus Omphalotus illudens. It alkylates DNA and protein macromolecules, forms adducts, and arrests cells in the S-phase of the cell cycle. It requires NADPH-dependent metabolism by alkenal/one oxidoreductase for activity. IROFULVEN is more active in vitro against tumor cells of epithelial origin and is more resistant to deactivation by p53 loss and P-glycoprotein than other alkylating agents. IROFULVEN has been evaluated in 19 clinical trials, predominantly in refractory prostate and ovarian cancer patients. Results were positive, including a 10% response rate in patients with prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel and 13% in ovarian cancer patients relapsing between 6 and 12 months after standard treatment with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) is a selective high-affinity antagonist radioligand for A1 adenosine receptors. DPCPX is a useful tool with which to explore the potential of activation of adenosine A1 receptors as an important mechanism in physiological and pathophysiological processes.

KRN-5500, a spicamycin derivative, is a nucleoside-like antibiotic with a broad spectrum of antitumor activity against human cancer cell lines. It also may have value in the treatment of neuropathic pain.

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.