Selumetinib (AZD6244 or ARRY-142886) is a potent, selective, and ATP-uncompetitive inhibitor of Ras-Raf-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1/2). This inhibition can prevent ERK activation, disrupt downstream signal transduction, and inhibit cancer cell proliferation and survival. Selumetinib has shown tumour suppressive activity in multiple rodent models of human cancer including melanoma, pancreatic, colon, lung, and breast cancers. AstraZeneca is responsible for development and commercialization of selumetinib.

Ribavirin is a synthetic nucleoside analogue, which was first discovered and developed in 1970 by researchers from the International Chemical & Nuclear Corporation (ICN), today known as Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Ribavirin was initially approved for use in humans to treat pediatric respiratory syncytial virus infections (RSV). In cell cultures the inhibitory activity of ribavirin for RSV is selective. The mechanism of action is unknown. Reversal of the in vitro antiviral activity by guanosine or xanthosine suggests ribavirin may act as an analogue of these cellular metabolites. There were no other significant advancements in the treatment of hepatitis C until 1998, when the combination of ribavirin and interferon-alpha gained approval. Clinically, ribavirin showed a small, additive antiviral effect in combination with interferon, but its main effect was dose-dependent prevention of virological relapse. The mechanism by which the combination of ribavirin and an interferon product exerts its effects against the hepatitis C virus has not been fully established. However, it could be thorough the inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), which is the key step in de novo guanine synthesis, a requirement for viral replication.

LX 2931 (LX 3305) is an inhibitor of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) lyase. S1P lyase is an enzyme identified as a promising new target on a pathway associated with regulation of the immune system. Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was developing LX 2931 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. LX 2931 has disappeared from the pipeline of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In preclinical studies LX 2931 was effective against experimental cerebral malaria, lung inflammation in a F508del CFTR murine cystic fibrosis model and osteoporosis.

Ganetespib (formerly called STA-9090) is a novel, injectable resorcinolic triazolone small molecule inhibitor of Hsp90, developed by Synta Pharmaceuticals. Ganetespib inhibits the growth of many tumor types in vitro and in vivo including AML, ALL, CML, NHL, neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdoid cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, melanoma, and carcinomas of the breast, lung, prostate, bladder and colon7-10,14-27. Ganetespib has being studied in multiple adult oncology indications. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for Ganetespib against malignant mast cell lines are 10-50 times lower than that for 17-AAG, indicating that triazolone class of HSP90 inhibitors likely exhibits greater potency than geldanamycin based inhibitors. Ganetespib inhibits MG63 cell lines with IC50 of 43 nM. Ganetespib binds to the ATP-binding domain at the N-terminus of Hsp90 and serves as a potent Hsp90 inhibitor by causing degradation of multiple oncogenic Hsp90 client proteins including HER2/neu, mutated EGFR, Akt, c-Kit, IGF-1R, PDGFRα, Jak1, Jak2, STAT3, STAT5, HIF-1α, CDC2 and c-Met as well as Wilms' tumor 1. Ganetespib, at low nanomolar concentrations, potently arrests cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in a wide variety of human cancer cell lines, including many receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor- and tanespimycin-resistant cell lines. Ganetespib exhibits potent cytotoxicity in a range of solid and hematologic tumor cell lines, including those that express mutated kinases that confer resistance to small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Ganetespib has been studied in 5 completed Synta-sponsored clinical trials (Studies 9090-02, 9090-03, 9090-04, 9090-05, and 9090-07) and 3 completed Synta-sponsored studies in normal healthy volunteers (9090-12, 9090-13, and 9090-15). Ganetespib is currently being studied in 6 Synta-sponsored clinical trials. Studies include: one Phase 1 study, three Phase 2 studies, one Phase 2b study, and one Phase 3 study. Ganetespib is also being studied in 24 Investigator Sponsored Trials (ISTs)