Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is the methyl ester of fumaric acid. DMF was initially recognized as a very effective hypoxic cell radiosensitizer. Later, DMF combined with three other fumaric acid esters (FAE) was licensed in Germany as oral therapy for psoriasis (trade name Fumaderm). Phase III clinical trials found that DMF (BG-12) successfully reduced relapse rate and increased time to progression of disability in multiple sclerosis (trade name Tecfidera). DMF is thought to have immunomodulatory properties without significant immunosuppression. The mechanism of action of dimethyl fumarate in multiple sclerosis is not well understood. It is thought to involve dimethyl fumarate degradation to its active metabolite monomethyl fumarate (MMF) then MMF up-regulates the Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway that is activated in response to oxidative stress. Dimethyl fumarate is marketed under the brand name Tecfidera.

Trametinib is a reversible and specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases MEK1 and MEK2 which are involved in a RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway and control cell growth, survival, and differentiation. By inhibiting MEK1 and MEK2 trametinib blocks dual phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and stops cell cycling. In addition, trametinib blocks BRAF pathway in the cells with BRAF V600E mutations. Trametinib (as a single agent and in combination with dabrafenib) is approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600E or V600K mutations.

Choline C 11 injection was approved to help diagnose recurrent prostate cancer. It is used for a procedure called positron emission tomography (PET) scan to detect tumors that are not detectable by other scanning procedures, such as bone scan, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Choline C 11 is a radioactive diagnostic agent, the analog of choline. Choline is involved in the synthesis of the structural components of cell membranes, as well as modulation of transmembrane signaling. Increased phospholipid synthesis (i.e., increased uptake of choline) has been associated with cell proliferation and the transformation process that occurs in tumor cells. Recently, Choline C 11 PET was studied for diagnosis the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma; although the phase II of clinical trials was not begun.

Enzalutamide (brand name Xtandi) is an orally bioavailable, organic, non-steroidal small molecule targeting the androgen receptor (AR) with potential antineoplastic activity. It was developed at UCLA and marketed by the pharmaceutical company Medivation for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Through a mechanism that is reported to be different from other approved AR antagonists, enzalutamide inhibits the activity of prostate cancer cell ARs, which may result in a reduction in prostate cancer cell proliferation and, correspondingly, a reduction in the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level. AR over-expression in prostate cancer represents a key mechanism associated with prostate cancer hormone resistance.

Deferiprone (trade name Ferriprox) is an iron chelator indicated for the treatment of patients with transfusional iron overload due to thalassemia syndromes when current chelation therapy is inadequate. Deferiprone is an orally bioavailable bidentate ligand with iron chelating activity. Deferiprone binds to iron in a 3:1 (ligand:iron) molar ratio. By binding to iron, deferiprone is able to remove excess iron from the body. All the adverse effects of deferiprone are considered reversible, controllable and manageable. These include agranulocytosis with frequency of about 0.6%, neutropenia 6%, musculoskeletal and joint pains 15%, gastrointestinal complains 6% and zinc deficiency 1%.

Pazopanib (VOTRIENT) is an orally bioavailable multi-targeted tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor. Pazopanib inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-α and -β, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) -1 and -3, cytokine receptor (Kit), interleukin-2 receptor inducible T-cell kinase (Itk), leukocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck), and transmembrane glycoprotein receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Fms). In an vitro study, pazopanib exerted anti-tumor effect through mechanisms including the Raf-MAPK/ERK (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. It has good oral exposure and inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth in mice. Pazopanib (VOTRIENT) was developed by GlaxoSmithKline for the treatment of solid tumours and age-related macular degeneration. However, Novartis acquired all the rights to the drug from GlaxoSmithKline. Pazopanib (VOTRIENT) is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and advanced soft tissue sarcoma.

Clevidipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Clevidipine is marketed under the trade name Cleviprex, indicated for the reduction of blood pressure (BP) when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. Clevidipine is a dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel blocker. L-type calcium channels mediate the influx of calcium during depolarization in arterial smooth muscle. Experiments in anesthetized rats and dogs show that clevidipine reduces mean arterial blood pressure by decreasing systemic vascular resistance. Clevidipine does not reduce cardiac filling pressure (pre-load), confirming lack of effects on the venous capacitance vessels.

Alvimopan (LY246736, ADL 8-2698, trade name Entereg) is a potent, peripherally selective mu-opioid receptor antagonist. Alvimopan was developed by Adolor Corporation (now Cubist Pharmaceuticals) and GlaxoSmithKline for the treatment of postoperative ileus. Postoperative ileus is the impairment of gastrointestinal motility after intra-abdominal surgery or other non-abdominal surgeries. This may potentially delay gastrointestinal recovery and hospital discharge until its resolution. Morphine and other mu-opioid receptor agonists are universally used for the treatment of acute postsurgical pain; however, they are known to have an inhibitory effect on gastrointestinal motility and may prolong the duration of postoperative ileus. Following oral administration, alvimopan antagonizes the peripheral effects of opioids on gastrointestinal motility and secretion by competitively binding to gastrointestinal tract mu-opioid receptors.

Etravirine (formerly known as TMC125) is an antiretroviral agent more specifically classified as a Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor. Etravirine exerts its effects via direct inhibition of the reverse transcriptase enzyme of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). It directly binds reverse transcriptase and consequently blocks DNA-dependent and RNA-dependent polymerase activity. In combination with other antiretroviral agents, it is indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in antiretroviral treatment-experienced adult patients, who have evidence of viral replication and HIV-1 strains resistant to a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) and other antiretroviral agents. The most common adverse events (incidence > 10%) of any intensity that occurred at a higher rate than placebo are rash and nausea. Etravirine should not be co-administered with the following antiretrovirals: Tipranavir/ritonavir, fosamprenavir/ritonavir, atazanavir/ritonavir; Protease inhibitors administered without ritonavir; NNRTIs.

Ambrisentan (alternative Names: BSF 208075; GSK 1325760; GSK1325760A; Letairis) is an endothelin receptor antagonist that is selective for the endothelin type-A (ETA) receptor. The chemical name of ambrisentan is (+)-(2S)-2-[(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)oxy]-3-methoxy-3,3-diphenylpropanoic acid. Ambrisentan is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is approved in Europe, Canada and the United States for use as a single agent to improve exercise ability and delay clinical worsening. In addition, it is approved in the United States for use in combination with tadalafil to reduce the risks of disease progression, hospitalization and to improve exercise ability. As an endothelin receptor antagonist, ambrisentan prevents endogenous endothelin peptide from constricting the muscles in blood vessels, allowing them to relax and permit a reduction in blood pressure. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent autocrine and paracrine peptide. Two receptor subtypes, ETA and ETB, mediate the effects of ET-1 in the vascular smooth muscle and endothelium. The primary actions of ETA are vasoconstriction and cell proliferation, while the predominant actions of ETB are vasodilation, antiproliferation, and ET-1 clearance. In patients with PAH, plasma ET-1 concentrations are increased as much as 10-fold and correlate with increased mean right atrial pressure and disease severity. ET-1 and ET-1 mRNA concentrations are increased as much as 9-fold in the lung tissue of patients with PAH, primarily in the endothelium of pulmonary arteries. These findings suggest that ET-1 may play a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of PAH. Ambrisentan is a high-affinity (Ki=0.011 nM) ETA receptor antagonist with a high selectivity for the ETA versus ETB receptor (>4000-fold). The clinical impact of high selectivity for ETA is not known.