Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Sample Extraction and Simultaneous Chromatographic Quantitation of Doxorubicin and Mitomycin C Following Drug Combination Delivery in Nanoparticles to Tumor-bearing Mice
08:57

Sample Extraction and Simultaneous Chromatographic Quantitation of Doxorubicin and Mitomycin C Following Drug Combination Delivery in Nanoparticles to Tumor-bearing Mice

Published on: October 5, 2017

Discontinued drugs in 2005: oncology drugs

Lloyd Kelland1

  • 1CRT Development Laboratory, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. lkelland@cancertechnology.com

Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
|October 17, 2006
PubMed

Insights

In 2005, 20 cancer drugs were discontinued, with 60% being biological agents. This analysis examines reasons for oncology drug failures across development phases.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Drug Development
  • Pharmaceutical Science

Background:

  • In 2005, 20 oncology drugs were discontinued during development.
  • Biological agents, including cancer vaccines and antisense oligonucleotides, comprised 60% of these discontinued drugs.
  • Discontinuation occurred across all development phases: 10 in Phase I, 6 in Phase II, and 4 in Phase III.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To survey drugs discontinued in the oncology field in 2005.
  • To analyze these discontinuations by stage of development and compound class.
  • To suggest potential reasons for the failure of these oncology drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of drug development pipelines for 2005.
  • Categorization of discontinued oncology drugs by development phase (Phase I, II, III).
  • Classification of drugs by compound type (e.g., biological agents, vaccines, oligonucleotides).

Main Results:

  • A total of 20 cancer drugs were dropped from development in 2005.
  • Ten drugs failed in Phase I, six in Phase II, and four in Phase III.
  • Biological agents represented a significant portion of discontinued oncology drugs.

Conclusions:

  • The high failure rate of biological agents in oncology drug development warrants further investigation.
  • Understanding reasons for early-stage (Phase I) failures is crucial for improving future drug development strategies.
  • This analysis provides insights into the challenges of oncology drug development and potential areas for improvement.

Related Concept Videos

FDA Approved Drugs: Changes to Approved Drugs01:26

FDA Approved Drugs: Changes to Approved Drugs

Post-approval, manufacturers may modify an approved new or generic drug product. Such modifications can encompass alterations in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), manufacturing process, formulation, batch size, manufacturing site, and container closure system (FDA Guidance for Industry, April 2004). Often, a drug product may undergo multiple changes.These modifications require careful evaluation to determine their potential impact on the drug product's identity, strength, quality,...
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs01:02

Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs

Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...