Onalespib (AT13387; (2,4-dihydroxy-5-isopropyl-phenyl)-[5-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl] methanone, l-lactic acid salt), is wholly owned by Astex, a novel, high-affinity HSP90 inhibitor, which is currently being clinically tested, has shown activity against a wide array of tumor cell lines, including lung cancer cell lines. As a targeted inhibitor of Hsp90, onalespib has the potential to control the proliferation of multiple solid tumors and hematological malignancies where uncontrolled cell growth is dependent on the interaction between Hsp90 and its client proteins. Astex is pursuing an approach based on the observation that addition of onalespib to a molecularly targeted agent may delay the emergence of resistance to the agent, and hence prolong the window of therapeutic benefit. Onalespib is currently being evaluated via a CRADA with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in various tumor types, and in a Phase 1/2 clinical study in combination with AT7519, Astex CDK inhibitor.

Semapimod (CNI-1493) is a cytokine inhibitor and synthetic guanylhydrazone mitogen-activated protein kinase blocker, is being developed by Cytokine PharmaSciences as a potential treatment for Crohn's disease and other inflammatory conditions. As of December 2001, a phase I study demonstrating the safety of the compound had been completed and phase II trials for psoriasis and Crohn's disease were ongoing. In April 2003, preclinical and early clinical studies were underway for a variety of indications, including congestive heart failure and pancreatitis. Semapimod inhibits activation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB and induction of cyclooxygenase-2 by TLR ligands, but not by IL-1β or stresses. Semapimod inhibits TLR4 signaling (IC50 ≈0.3 umol) and acts by desensitizing cells to LPS; it fails to block responses to LPS concentrations of ≥5 ug/ml. Semapimod had been in phase II clinical trials by Ferring Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of Crohn's disease. However, this research has been discontinued. Semapimod is in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of autoimmune disorders and inflammation.

ENMD-2076 is an orally-active, Aurora A/angiogenic kinase inhibitor. urora kinases are key regulators of mitosis (cell division), and are often over-expressed in human cancers. ENMD-2076 also targets the VEGFR, Flt-3 and FGFR3 kinases, which have been shown to play important roles in the pathology of several cancers. ENMD-2076 is tested in phase 2 clinical trials against ovarian cancer, breast cance, hepatocellular carcinoma and other malignancies.

Etanidazole (also known as Radinyl) is a 2-nitroimidazole with radiosensitizing properties. Etanidazole exerts its therapeutic action by depleting glutathione and inhibiting glutathione S-transferase, thus enhancing the anticancer effects of radiation therapy. Etanidazole was tested in Phase III clinical trials in patients with advanced head and neck cancer, however, its development was stopped. A fluorinated etanidazole (EF5) may also be useful as an imaging agent for identification of hypoxic, drug-resistant regions of primary tumors and metastases.

Suxethonium is a depolarising muscle relaxant, with low incidence of postoperative muscle pain.

The dihydrochloride salt of nolatrexed, a water-soluble lipophilic quinazoline folate analog with antineoplastic activity. Nolatrexed occupies the folate binding site of thymidylate synthase, resulting in inhibition of thymidylate synthase activity and thymine nucleotide synthesis with subsequent inhibition of DNA replication, DNA damage, S-phase cell cycle arrest, and caspase-dependent apoptosis. This agent also exhibits radiosensitizing activity. Orphan designation of nolatrexed was granted in the Unites States of America for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Moxastine is a diarylmethane derivative with an antihistamine and anticholinergic activities.

Tubulozole is a stereospecific microtubule inhibitor. Structurally it is related to the benzimidazole carbamates by its carbamate moiety, which is essential for the activity of both types of compounds. The compound exists as a cis-isomer called tubulozole-C (R 46 846) and as a trans-isomer called tubulozole-T. The cis-isomer appears to be a potent and specific microtubule inhibitor, the trans-isomer being inactive at 100 times higher concentrations. At low concentrations, both isomers of tubulozole (C, T) inhibit Plasmodium falciparum but only tubulozole C inhibits mammalian cells. Since tubulozole C prevents polymerization of mammalian tubulin whereas tubulozole T does not, the antimalarial action of tubulozoles may not involve microtubules. Tubulozole-C, a new synthetic anticancer drug, interfered with the structure and function of microtubules in both interphase and mitotic cells. The activity of Tubulozole-C in experimental tumor systems can be explained partly by a direct antimitotic effect and partly by the disintegration of the normal subcellular organization of the nondividing cells. At concentrations which affect the microtubule system, tubulozole-C arrested directional migration of transformed cells and malignant invasion in a three-dimensional organ culture system. Investigations in vivo show that malignant L1210 leukemia cells are more susceptible to the antimicrotubular effect of tubulozole-C than are the normal leukocytes of the host. The trans-isomer of tubulozole (tubulozole-T, R 48 265), which has no antitumor activity in vivo, did not affect the microtubule system of cells in vitro or their capacity for directional migration or for malignant invasion.

Indotecan (LMP400) is a novel indenoisoquinoline derivative with specific topoisomerase I inhibition activity, developed by Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis National Cancer Institute for cancer treatment. In preclinical studied Indotecan inhibited the cell growth of established mouse pheochromocytoma cell lines and primary human tumor tissue cultures. Low doses of Indotecan decreased the protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α), one of a family of factors studied as potential metastatic drivers in these tumors. In vitro, Indotecan showed an increase in the growth-inhibitory effects in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs that are currently used for the treatment of pheochromocytoma. Recently Indotecan has entered Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of cancer patients at the National Cancer Institute, and definite plans are being formulated to commence Phase II clinical trials.

Morazone is is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), originally developed by the German pharmaceutical company Ravensberg in the 1950s. Morazone was used as a moderately strong analgesic but was discontinued due to high abuse potential