Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity [Domain] Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Legal Entity [Axis] Document Type Award Type [Axis] Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Additional paid-in capital Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Restricted stock expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Unit or Restricted Stock Award, Requisite Service Period Recognition Allocated employee and non-employee stock-based compensation expense, Total Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax Share based compensation expense Amortization of loan cost and discount Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares) Total assets Assets ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Total current assets Assets, Current Description of Company and Basis of Presentation Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block] Equipment and furnishings purchased on credit Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash equivalents Chairman and Chief Executive Officer [Member] Number of warrants issued (in shares) Warrants to purchase shares of common stock (in shares) Class of Stock [Line Items] Warrants classified as liabilities (in shares) Class of Stock [Domain] Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share) Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share) Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share) Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and contingencies Commitments and contingencies [Abstract] Common Stock [Member] Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common stock, $0.001 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized; 153,127,389 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2017; 111,322,895 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 Common Stock, Value, Issued Authorized but unissued shares of common stock (in shares) Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Obligation payable Contractual Obligation Preferred stock conversion Total expenses Costs and Expenses Debt Instrument [Line Items] Term Loan Term Loan [Abstract] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate Debt instrument, interest rate Maturity date of amended loan servicing agreement Debt instrument, maturity date Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative [Line Items] Derivative [Table] Warrant liabilities Derivative Liability, Current Gain (loss) on warrant derivative liabilities Fair value adjustment on warrant liabilities Gain (loss) on warrant derivative liabilities Derivative Contract [Domain] Directors [Member] Stock Based Compensation Stock Based Compensation [Abstract] Federal [Member] Earliest Tax Year [Member] Basic and diluted net loss per share (in dollars per share) Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items] Unrecognized compensation cost, recognized as expense over a weighted-average period Stock Options [Member] Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options, granted Investment, Name [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Increase in fair value of warrant liabilities Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair value measurements by level for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract] Level III [Member] Level I [Member] Level II [Member] Foreign Currency Remeasurement Foreign Currency Remeasurement [Abstract] Loss on retirement of fixed assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment, Excluding Oil and Gas Property and Timber Property General and administrative General and Administrative Expense [Member] Goodwill Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract] Cash paid for income taxes Accounts payable Receivables Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Interest receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Interest Receivable, Net Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Changes in assets and liabilities: Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense Cash paid during the year for interest Interest income Latest Tax Year [Member] Total liabilities Liabilities Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Current liabilities: License revenue Licenses Revenue Non-cash litigation settlement due in common stock Litigation Settlement, Amount Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale by Asset Type [Axis] Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale, Name [Domain] Term loan, net - current Term Loan, Net - Current Long term loan, net Long Term Loan, Net Loss Contingencies [Table] Litigation settlement Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Senior Management [Member] Management [Member] Maximum [Member] Minimum [Member] Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash flows from investing activities: Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss Net loss Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities: Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract] Other income (loss): Expenses: Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] Operating loss carryforwards Operating Loss Carryforwards Loss before other income (loss) Operating Income (Loss) Expiration date Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date Gain on foreign currency translation adjustment Other assets Other income (loss), net Prime Rate [Member] Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments Payments for (Proceeds from) Short-term Investments Purchases of equipment and furnishings Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Axis] Amount of milestone payment payable Preferred Stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred Stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Preferred Stock Prepaid expenses and other current assets Net proceeds from exercise of warrants and stock options Proceeds from Warrant Exercises Proceeds from public offering Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering Proceeds from term loan, net Amount received under initial loan agreement Net proceeds received from the sale of common stock Purchase of common stock Purchase of common stock Equipment and furnishings, net Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Receivables Debt instrument, repayment of principal and unpaid interest Payment of principal on term loan Debt instrument, repayment of principal and unpaid interest Research and development Research and Development Expense [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Accumulated deficit Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share) Contractual term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period Expected lives Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) Common stock, share price (in dollars per share) Common stock, share price (in dollars per share) Revenue: Scenario, Forecast [Member] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value of the Stock Options Granted, Assumptions Fair Value Measurements by Level for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Schedule of Term Loan Investment, Name [Axis] Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table] Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Summarizes Significant Ranges of Outstanding Stock Options Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Series B Convertible Preferred Shares [Member] Series B Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member] Stock-based compensation expense Granted (in dollars per share) Warrants expired (in shares) Vesting period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Warrants outstanding (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding, Number Weighted-Average Exercise Price Options [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Closing price of the common stock (in dollars per share) Share Price Expiration date Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Date Share based compensation arranged by share based payment award restricted stock granted (in shares) Share-based compensation, outstanding stock options (in shares) Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Risk-free interest rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Options exercisable at end of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract] Expected dividend yield Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Share based compensation of fair value of the restricted stock on the grant Share-based compensation, shares available for future grant (in shares) Expected volatility Expected volatility Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share) Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Aggregate intrinsic value of options vested Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Share-based compensation, shares subject to stock options (in shares) Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) Outstanding at end of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Granted (in shares) Equity Award [Domain] Total stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock options and warrants [Abstract] Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options Number of Options (Employees and Non-Employees) [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Number of Options (in shares) Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items] Number of Options Exercisable (in shares) Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Domain] Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range (in dollars per share) Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range (in dollars per share) Exercise Price Range [Axis] State [Member] Class of Stock [Axis] Statement [Line Items] Equity Components [Axis] CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) [Abstract] Statement [Table] CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) [Abstract] Scenario [Axis] Issuance of common stock (in shares) Number of preferred shares converted (in shares) Stockholders' equity: Equity Transactions Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Transactions [Abstract] Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Events Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Subsequent Event [Table] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Tax Period [Domain] Tax Period [Axis] Relationship to Entity [Domain] Title of Individual [Axis] Variable Rate [Domain] Variable Rate [Axis] Warrants [Member] Warrants [Member] Basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares) Liquidity and Capital Resources [Abstract] The entire disclosure for liquidity and capital resources. Liquidity and Capital Resources [Text Block] Liquidity and Capital Resources Schedule that describes that estimated projected expenditure by an entity. Estimated projected expenditures [Table] Estimated Projected Expenditures [Table] Represents the agent, with whom loan agreement is made. Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Hercules Technology III, L.P. [Member] Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Hercules Technology III, L.P. [Member] Represents the company, with whom loan agreement is made. NantCell, Inc [Member] NantCell, Inc [Member] Refers to currently projected expenditures for clinical programs for other programs. Other Programs [Member] Refers to currently projected expenditures for interest and payments on term loan. Interest and Term Loan Payment [Member] Refers to currently projected expenditures for clinical programs for other general and administrative expenses. Other general and administrative expenses [Member] Other General and Administrative Expenses [Member] Refers to currently projected expenditures for clinical programs for general operation. General operation [Member] General Operation [Member] Refers to currently projected expenditures for clinical programs for aldoxorubicin. Aldoxorubicin [Member] Line items represent the estimated projected expenditure. Estimated projected expenditure [Line Items] Estimated Projected Expenditure [Line Items] Monetary value refers to the entity estimate currently projected expenditures. Currently projected expenditures for clinical programs Currently projected expenditures for clinical programs Fair value portion of a security that gives the holder the right to purchase shares of stock in accordance with the terms of the instrument, usually upon payment of a specified amount. Warrant Liability, Fair Value Disclosure Warrant liabilities The potential future milestone payments on each additional final marketing approval as of the balance sheet date. Potential future milestone payments on each additional final marketing approval Potential future milestone payments on each additional final marketing approval Refers to number of competing derivative complaints against company. Number of Competing Derivative Complaints Number of competing derivative complaints Number of common stock shares issued from exercise of warrants during the period. Common Stock Shares Issued From Exercise Of Warrants Common stock shares issued from exercise of warrants (in shares) Warrant Liabilities [Abstract] The entire disclosure of warrants or rights issued, specifically related to equity financing, and the accounting treatment of gain or loss prior to final settlement. Warrant Liabilities [Text Block] Warrant Liabilities The fair value of stock issued in connection with the class action settlement. Stock issued in connection with the class action settlement Shares issued in connection with the class action settlement Refers to exercise of warrant liability during the period. Warrant Liability Exercise Warrant liability exercise Amount of increase in additional paid in capital (APIC) resulting from the amount of warrants issued in connection with term loan. Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital Warrants issued in connection with term loan Warrants issued in connection with term loan Tabular disclosure of the significant assumptions, including, but not limited to: (a) expected term of share options and similar instruments, (b) expected volatility of the entity's shares, (c) expected dividends, (d) risk-free rate(s), and (e) discount for post-vesting restrictions. Schedule of weighted average assumptions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Weighted-average Assumptions Description of Company and Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Aggregate par or stated value of issued nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer). This item includes treasury stock repurchased by the entity. Note: elements for number of nonredeemable preferred shares, par value and other disclosure concepts are in another section within stockholders' equity. Preferred Stock, Stated Value Preferred Stock, stated value The estimated an annualized forfeiture rate for options granted to employees. Estimated annualized forfeiture rate Estimated annualized forfeiture rate Restricted Stock [Abstract] The 2008 stock incentive plan, reward system designed to improve employees' performance by providing rewards. 2008 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] The 2000 Long-term incentive plan, reward system designed to improve employees' long term performance by providing rewards. 2000 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] 2000 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] An arrangement whereby an non-employees stock-based compensation expense is classified. Non employees [Member] Non-Employees [Member] Former highest ranking executive officer, who has ultimate managerial responsibility for the entity and who reports to the board of directors. In addition, the chief executive officer (CEO) may also be the chairman of the board or president. Former Executive [Member] A person serving on the board of directors (who collectively have responsibility for determining the overall policy of the entity and appointing officers) generally elected by the shareholders and an arrangement whereby an employee stock-based compensation expense is classified. Employees and Directors [Member] Share based compensation stock options activity [Abstract] Refers to share-based compensation arrangements by share-based payment award, options, exercised, forfeitures, expired in period. Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercised, Forfeitures, Expired in Period Exercised, forfeited or expired (in shares) Refers to share-based compensation arrangements by share-based payment award, options, exercised, forfeitures, expired in period, weighted average exercise price. Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercised, Forfeitures, Expired in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised, forfeited or expired (in dollars per share) An arrangement whereby an employees stock-based compensation expense is classified. Employees [Member] Incremental common shares attributable to stock options and warrants. A contract that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, either to purchase or to sell a certain number of shares of stock at a predetermined price for a specified period of time. Stock Options And Warrants [Member] Stock Options and Warrants [Member] Refers to the classes of ultra-high potency drug conjugates. Number of Classes of Ultra-high Potency Drug Conjugates Number of classes of ultra-high potency drug conjugates Represents the number of patients that has been tested with Aldoxorubicin for various types of cancer. Number of Patients Tested for Various Types of Cancer Number of patients tested for various types of cancer Refers to future milestone payments entitled to receive under license agreement for regulatory approvals and commercial milestones for aldoxorubicin. Future Milestone Payment Receivable Under License Agreement Milestone payments entitled to receive under license agreement Milestone payment received Represents the number of years Orphan Drug Designation provides several benefits of market exclusivity after approval. Number Of Years Orphan Drug Designation Provides Several Benefits Of Market Exclusivity After Approval Number of years Orphan Drug Designation provides several benefits of market exclusivity after approval Refers to number of years soft tissue sarcomas confers market among other benefits. Number Of Years Of Soft Tissue Sarcomas Confers Market Among Other Benefits Number of years soft tissue sarcomas confers market among other benefits Refers to the sale of common stock premium at market price on that date to the entity. Percentage of Common Stock Premium At Market Price Percentage of common stock premium at market price As a result of a change in-control that occurred in the CytRx shareholder base, federal net operating loss carryforwards became substantially limited in their annual availability. Unrestricted [Member] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Tabular disclosure of total share-based compensation expense resulting from stock options and warrants included in the company's unaudited interim statements of operations. Schedule of total stock based compensation expense from stock options and warrants [Table Text Block] Schedule of Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense from Stock Options and Warrants Refers to the percentage of stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. Percentage Of Stock Issuable Upon Exercise Of Warrants Percentage of stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants Refers to the Number of days to calculate volume-weighted average price of common stock. Number Of Days To Calculate Volume-Weighted Average Price Of Common Stock Number of days to calculate volume-weighted average price of common stock Refers to charges for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Charges of Prepayment Of Debt Prepayment charge Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs classified as current. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs and amount of debt discount to be amortized within one year or within the normal operating cycle, if longer. Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Current and Issuance Cost Issuance Cost/Loan Discount - Current Carrying amount of accrued term loan fee as on the balance sheet date that are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Term Loan Fee Payable Noncurrent End Fee Payable Refers to fair value of warrants classified as equity warrants. Warrants Classified as Equity Warrant, Fair Value Fair value of warrants classified as equity warrants Represents the amount of cash balance required to be maintained under the terms of a debt instrument. Debt Instrument, Minimum Cash Balance Required To Be Maintained Debt instrument, minimum cash balance required to be maintained Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance. Debt Instrument Face Amount Current Term Loan Principal - Current Face (par) amount of long term debt instrument at time of issuance. Debt Instrument Face Amount Noncurrent Long Term Loan Principal Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs classified as noncurrent. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs and amount of debt discount to be amortized after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Noncurrent and Issuance Cost Long Term Loan Discount/Issuance Cost Date when the debt instrument is rescheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format. Debt Instrument Amended Maturity Date Maturity date of amended loan servicing agreement Type of estimate of range of exercise prices, one including, but not limited to, upper and lower bound amounts, maximum and minimum amounts, and point estimates. Range Four [Member] Range $4.01 - 32.55 [Member] Type of estimate of range of exercise prices, one including, but not limited to, upper and lower bound amounts, maximum and minimum amounts, and point estimates. Range One [Member] Range $0.41 - 1.50 [Member] Type of estimate of range of exercise prices, one including, but not limited to, upper and lower bound amounts, maximum and minimum amounts, and point estimates. Range Two [Member] Range $1.51 - 2.50 [Member] Type of estimate of range of exercise prices, one including, but not limited to, upper and lower bound amounts, maximum and minimum amounts, and point estimates. Range Three [Member] Range $2.51 - 4.00 [Member] Share based compensation, shares authorized under significant ranges of outstanding stock option plans in period [Abstract] Weighted-average price of equity instruments other than options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested instruments. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Non Option Equity Instruments Outstanding weighted average price Weighted-average exercise price of warrants outstanding (in dollars per share)