Mifamurtide (liposomal muramyl tripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine; trade name Mepact) is an immunomodulator with antitumor effects that appear to be mediated via activation of monocytes and macrophages. After intravenous administration, mifamurtide is selectively phagocytosed by monocytes and macrophages. Cytosolic Mifamurtide specifically interacts with nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) receptor that induces nuclear factor (NF)-kB activation and is implicated in innate immune defense. Activation of monocyte-mediated tumoricidal function was observed following in vivo treatment with mifamurtide in phase I/II clinical trials. Intravenous administration of mifamurtide inhibited tumor growth and increased survival in rodent models of lung and liver metastasis. In a large, randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase III trial, the addition of adjuvant (postoperative) mifamurtide to three- or four-drug combination chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cisplatin, and high-dose methotrexate with, or without, ifosfamide) was associated with a statistically significant improvement in overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed, high-grade, non-metastatic, resectable osteosarcoma. The pattern of outcome was generally similar in a small cohort of patients with metastatic disease who were enrolled in this trial. Mifamurtide is generally well tolerated; adverse events attributed to administration of the drug include chills, fever, headache, nausea, and myalgias. In the EU, mifamurtide is indicated in children, adolescents, and young adults for the treatment of high-grade, resectable, non-metastatic osteosarcoma after macroscopically complete surgical resection; it is administered by intravenous infusion in conjunction with postoperative multiagent chemotherapy. In the US, mifamurtide is currently an investigational agent that holds orphan drug status for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Tilarginine is L-N-monomethyl arginine (L -NMMA), a non-selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which has been studied in the treatment of septic shock and cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction. Despite strong evidence that excessive nitric oxide (NO) production plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of septic shock and may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction, outcome studies in these two disorders have proved disappointing. Tilarginine therapy was associated with an excess mortality, particularly at doses > 5 mg/(kg h), in septic shock, whereas the effects of a lower dose (1 mg/(kg h)) in cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction were neutral. The excess mortality in patients with septic shock was almost certainly the result of unfavorable hemodynamic changes induced by Tilarginine (decreased cardiac output, increased pulmonary vascular resistance and reduced tissue oxygen delivery) whereas the lack of benefit in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction may have been because the dose of Tilarginine was too low.

Calcium dobesilate (brand name Doxium) is a veno-tonic drug, which is widely prescribed in more than 60 countries from Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East for three main indications: chronic venous disease, diabetic retinopathy and the symptoms of haemorrhoidal attack. This drugs also in the phase III of clinical trial is an effective adjuvant therapy, with an absence of significant side-effects, in patients with venous ulcers and stasis dermatitis. It was suggested, that the inhibitory effect of calcium dobesilate on platelet function is mediated through the cyclic AMP pathway, and probably through activation of adenyl cyclase.

Gusperimus is an antibiotic, isolated from cultures of the soil commensal Bacillus laterosporus. It possess immunosuppressive properties and exerts its effect through binding to heat shock proteins Hsp90 and Hsc70. Although initially, the drug was being investigated for the treatment of cancer, it recieved orphan designation for the treatment of refractory Wegener’s granulomatosis.

Amrubicin is a totally synthetic 9-aminoanthracycline anticancer drug, which is approved in Japan for the treatment of small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. Upon administration amrubicin is reduced to its C-13 hydroxy metabolite, amrubicinol. The cytotoxicity of amrubicinol in vitro is 10 to 100 times greater than that of amrubicin. Thus, the anticancer activity of amrubicin is considered to derive from this active metabolite. The mechanism of action of the drug is related to the inhibition of topoisomerase II by stabilizing the cleavable complex.

Cytarabine ocfosfate (commercial name: Starasid) is a prodrug having stearyl group attached to phosphoric acid at 5' position of arabinose moiety of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). This drug is given orally. The mode of action is in the inhibition of DNA synthesis after conversion to Ara-CTP as in Ara-C. The drug is metabolized in the liver, producing the intermediate metabolite, C-C3PCA which is converted to Ara-C gradually. This property results in the maintenance of relatively long time the blood Ara-C levels. This was proved to be active clinically against acute leukemia and MDS.

Erdosteine is an antioxidant compound developed by Edmond Pharma and approved in Europe for the treatment of chronic bronchitis and COPD. Erdosteine has two thiol groups and is believed to act as a free radicals scavenger (through the formation of the active metabolite I, N-thiodiglycolylhomocysteine). Also the drug effect may be due to the inhibition of the activity of elastase enzyme and its interaction with mucosa. The drug got Orphan Drug designation by FDA for the treatment of bronchiectasis.

Sitaxentan (TBC11251, trade name Thelin) is a potent and selective Endothelin A receptor antagonist. Sitaxentan was under development by Encysive Pharmaceuticals (now Pfizer) for use in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure and asthma. It was launched in the major markets of the European Union (EU) under name Thelin for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. In December 2010, Pfizer discontinued clinical trials of sitaxentan worldwide and initiated voluntary product withdrawal from markets where it is approved due to life-threatening idiosyncratic risk of liver injury.

Nafamostat mesilate (NM), a synthetic serine protease inhibitor, has anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nafamostat is approved and marketed in Japan. It relieves symptoms such as pain due to inflammation of the spleen. It improves visceral disorders and bleeding tendency caused by blood clotting tendency in the vessels. It prevents coagulation in the blood circuit during hemodialysis. It is usually used to improve acute symptoms of pancreatitis (acute pancreatitis, acute exacerbation phase of chronic pancreatitis, post-operative acute pancreatitis, acute pancreatitis after pancreatography, traumatic pancreatitis) and to prevent disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and clotting of perfusing blood in extracorporeal blood circuit. Nafamostat mesilate significantly inhibits the release of platelet beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG) at 60 and 120 min. Nafamostat mesilate (NM) prevents any significant release of neutrophil elastase; at 120 min, plasma elastase-alpha 1-antitrypsin complex is 0.16 mg/mL in the NM group and 1.24 mg/mL in the control group. Nafamostat mesilate completely inhibits formation of complexes of C1 inhibitor with kallikrein and FXIIa.

Beraprost is a stable, orally active prostacyclin analogue. Beraprost acts by binding to prostacyclin membrane receptors ultimately inhibiting the release of Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites. This reduction in the influx of Ca2+ has been postulated to cause relaxation of the smooth muscle cells and vasodilation. Beraprost is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and improvement of ulcers, pain & feeling of coldness associated with chronic arterial occlusion. In addition beraprost displays thyroid hormone receptor antagonistic properties.