Pfizer was developing PF-03814735, an orally administered, reversible inhibitor of the Aurora A and Aurora B kinases. In intact cells, the inhibitory activity of PF-03814735 on the Aurora1 and Aurora2 kinases reduces levels of phospho-Aurora1 (Thr 232, a sensitive marker of Aurora1 activity, with IC50 ~ 20 nM), phosphohistone H3 (with IC50 50 nM), and phospho-Aurora2 (with IC50 150 nM). PF-03814735 produces a block in cytokinesis, resulting in inhibition of cell proliferation and the formation of polyploid multinucleated cells. A recent research indicates small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and, to a lesser extent, colon cancer lines are very sensitive to PF-03814735. The status of the Myc gene family and retinoblastoma pathway members significantly correlates with the efficacy of PF-03814735. PF-03814735 was under Phase I trials for patients with advanced solid tumors, but later this research was discontinued.

ABT-639 is a T-type calcium (Cav3.2) channel antagonist that was in development with AbbVie for the treatment for pain. ABT-639 is a potent and selective T-type calcium channel blocker. ABT-639 effectively reduces nociceptive and neuropathic pain in rats. ABT-639 produces robust antinociceptive activity in experimental pain models at doses that do not significantly alter psychomotor or hemodynamic function in the rat. ABT-639 blocks recombinant human T-type (Cav3.2) Ca2+ channels in a voltage-dependent fashion (IC50=2 uM) and attenuates low voltage-activated (LVA) currents in rat DRG neurons (IC50=8 uM). ABT-639 was significantly less active at other Ca²⁺ channels (e.g. Ca(v)1.2 and Ca(v)2.2) (IC₅₀ > 30 uM). ABT-639 has high oral bioavailability (%F = 73), low protein binding (88.9%) and a low brain:plasma ratio (0.05:1) in rodents.

The sesquiterpene lactone thapsigargin is found in the plant Thapsia garganica L., and is one of the major constituents of the roots and fruits of this Mediterranean species. In 1978, the first pharmacological effects of thapsigargin were established and the full structure was elucidated in 1985. Thapsigargin is a potent inhibitor of Sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and is widely used to study Ca2+-signaling. Thapsigargin is a non-cell-type specific toxin with documented ability to kill a broad spectrum of cancer cell lines as well as normal endothelial cells, fibroblasts and osteoblasts. It induces a rapid and pronounced increase in the concentration of cytosolic calcium, due to blockade of the Sarcoplasmic/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase (SERCA) pump to which it binds with high affinity. The increase in cytosolic calcium leads to induction of apoptosis and ensuing cell death. A prodrug, G-202 (mipsagargin) has been designed to target the blood vessels of cancer cells; the death of these blood vessels then leads to tumor necrosis. G-202 consists of a cytotoxic analog of thapsigargin coupled to a masking peptide which inhibits its biologic activity until proteolytic cleavage at the tumor site. The first clinical trials of this drug were initiated in 2008 for the treatment Advanced Solid Tumors.

DCFBC F-18 is a radioconjugate containing a low molecular weight tracer, DCFBC, specific for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and labeled with the positron-emitting isotope fluorine F 18 with potential prostate tumor imaging upon positron emission tomography (PET). Upon administration, the DCFBC moiety of fluorine F 18 DCFBC specifically targets and binds to the tumor-associated antigen PSMA, thereby allowing the visualization of tumor cells expressing PSMA upon PET. F 18 DCFBC is investigated in phase 2 clinical trials in patients with prostate cancer.

Zorbamycin (U-30,604E), an antibiotic that induced rapid degradation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) in Bacillus subtilis cells. It was shown that this drug somehow induced a change in the structure or function of the cellular DNA fraction which resulted in rapid breakdown of this fraction. Zorbamycin also possesses antitumor activity.