Detorubicin is a semi-synthetic derivative of the anthracycline antineoplastic antibiotic. It intercalates into DNA and interacts with topoisomerase II, thereby inhibiting DNA replication and repair and RNA and protein synthesis. This agent also produces toxic free-radical intermediates and interacts with cell membrane lipids causing lipid peroxidation. Detorubicin is less toxic than daunorubicin. Although it showed some clinical activity, the drug appeared to have no particular advantage over doxorubicin except for demonstrated activity against malignant melanoma. Unfortunately, detorubicin clearly has cardiac toxicity – in clinical trial, one patient developed congestive heart failure and other patients revealed endomyocardial biopsy evidence of cardiac toxicity.

Berubicin, an anthracycline derivative, is a DNA binding agent and potent topoisomerase II poison. Reata Pharmaceuticals were developing it as a treatment for brain cancer as it can breach the blood-brain barrier. It had also been in early clinical trials for the treatment of lung cancer and malignant gliomas. However, studies have been terminated. In October 2006, it was granted orphan drug designation from the FDA for the treatment of malignant gliomas. According to a CNS Pharmaceuticals media release in April 2018, berubicin will be studied for glioblastoma patients, these investigations will be funded in part by an equity crowdfunding campaign.

Odanacatib is a potent, selective, and neutral cathepsin K inhibitor, an enzyme involved in bone resorption. Merck & Co was developing odanacatib, a once-weekly, oral Odanacatib, for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteoporosis in men. Merck & Co. has discontinued development of its cathepsin K inhibitor odanacatib, citing an increased risk of cardiovascular events for the osteoporosis drug.

Nacartocin is synthetic oxytocin analogue patented by Ceskoslovenska Akademie as a specific natriuretic agent. The natriuretic effect is mainly due to the inhibitory action of the peptide on tubular sodium resorption. Nacartocin decreased the blood pressure of anesthetized rats by the decrease of the total peripheral resistance which was greater than that observed after oxytocin administration.

Almurtide (CGP 11637) is a synthetic muramyl dipeptide (MDP) analogue with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activity. As a derivative of the mycobacterial cell wall component MDP, almurtide activates both monocytes and macrophages. This results in the secretion of cytokines and induces the recruitment and activation of other immune cells, which may result in indirect tumoricidal or cytostatic effects. CGP 11637 has been shown to prevent oncogenic viral infections in mice.

Folitixorin, a thymidylate synthase inhibitor is a substrate used by the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) to generate 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Folitixorin was studied in clinical trials for the treatment of breast cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer and for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Folitixorin had been granted orphan drug status for the treatment of pancreatic cancer in both the U.S. and EU. However, further development of this drug was discontinued.

Mivotilate is an orally active hepatoprotective agent for the treatment of liver cirrhosis and hepatitis-B infection. Mivotilate was shown to exert multiple effects on the hepatic cytochrome P450 system, particularly to inhibit CYP2E1 expression and to up-regulate the CYP1A1 expression. The low oral bioavailability of Mivotilate in rats could be primarily attributed to poor absorption and considerable hepatic and gastrointestinal first-pass effects. The thermal reversible microemulsion system of YH439 greatly enhances the bioavailability of YH439 after oral administration. Mivotilate prevents mutagenesis caused by agents such as benzopyrene and reduces skin tumours induced by these agents.

Ambamustine (PTT-119) is a bifunctional alkylating agent. Its antitumour effect is reported to mainly be through alkylation and interstrand cross-linkage of DNA. The drug was awaiting registration in Italy for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and was also in phase-II clinical trial for small cell lung cancer, but was discontinued.

GALARUBICIN (DA-125) is an anthracycline derivative with anticancer activity, containing fluorine. The mechanism of action of this drug lies in inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis through intercalation with DNA. Because the structure and DNA-intercalating properties of DA-125 are similar to adriamycin, the cytotoxic effects of the two anthracyclines probably have similar biochemical mechanisms. Preclinical studies suggest that it may have greater activity and less cardiac toxicity than adriamycin. In a rodent study, administration of D-125 in higher dose levels (25 to 50 mg/kg) has been shown to result in testicular damage.