AU712504B2 - Inhibitors of farnesyl-protein transferase - Google Patents

Description

WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -1- TITLE OF THE INVENTION INHIBITORS OF FARNESYL-PROTEIN

TRANSFERASE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The Ras proteins (Ha-Ras, Ki4a-Ras, Ki4b-Ras and N-Ras) are part of a signalling pathway that links cell surface growth factor receptors to nuclear signals initiating cellular proliferation. Biological and biochemical studies of Ras action indicate that Ras functions like a G-regulatory protein. In the inactive state, Ras is bound to GDP. Upon growth factor receptor activation Ras is induced to exchange GDP for GTP and undergoes a conformational change. The GTP-bound form of Ras propagates the growth stimulatory signal until the signal is terminated by the intrinsic GTPase activity of Ras, which returns the protein to its inactive GDP bound form Lowy and D.M.

Willumsen, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 62:851-891 (1993)). Mutated ras genes (Ha-ras, Ki4a-ras, Ki4b-ras and N-ras) are found in many human cancers, including colorectal carcinoma, exocrine pancreatic carcinoma, and myeloid leukemias. The protein products of these genes are defective in their GTPase activity and constitutively transmit a growth stimulatory signal.

Ras must be localized to the plasma membrane for both normal and oncogenic functions. At least 3 post-translational modifications are involved with Ras membrane localization, and all 3 modifications occur at the C-terminus of Ras. The Ras C-terminus contains a sequence motif termed a "CAAX" or "Cys-Aaal-Aaa 2 -Xaa" box (Cys is cysteine, Aaa is an aliphatic amino acid, the Xaa is any amino acid) (Willumsen et al., Nature 310:583-586 (1984)). Depending on the specific sequence, this motif serves as a signal sequence for the enzymes farnesyl-protein transferase or geranylgeranyl-protein transferase, which catalyze the alkylation of the cysteine residue of the CAAX motif with a C15 or C20 isoprenoid, respectively. Clarke., Ann. Rev. Biochem. 61:355-386 (1992); W.R. Schafer and J. Rine, Ann.

Rev. Genetics 30:209-237 (1992)). The Ras protein is one of several proteins that are known to undergo post-translational farnesylation.

WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -2- Other farnesylated proteins include the Ras-related GTP-binding proteins such as Rho, fungal mating factors, the nuclear lamins, and the gamma subunit of transducin. James, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269, 14182 (1994) have identified a peroxisome associated protein Pxf which is also farnesylated. James, et al., have also suggested that there are farnesylated proteins of unknown structure and function in addition to those listed above.

Inhibition of farnesyl-protein transferase has been shown to block the growth of Ras-transformed cells in soft agar and to modify other aspects of their transformed phenotype. It has also been demonstrated that certain inhibitors of farnesyl-protein transferase selectively block the processing of the Ras oncoprotein intracellularly Kohl et al., Science, 260:1934-1937 (1993) and G.L. James et al., Science, 260:1937-1942 (1993). Recently, it has been shown that an inhibitor of farnesyl-protein transferase blocks the growth of rasdependent tumors in nude mice Kohl et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci 91:9141-9145 (1994) and induces regression of mammary and salivary carcinomas in ras transgenic mice Kohl et al., Nature Medicine, 1:792-797 (1995).

Indirect inhibition of farnesyl-protein transferase in vivo has been demonstrated with lovastatin (Merck Co., Rahway, NJ) and compactin (Hancock et al., ibid; Casey et al., ibid; Schafer et al., Science 245:379 (1989)). These drugs inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate limiting enzyme for the production of polyisoprenoids including farnesyl pyrophosphate. Farnesyl-protein transferase utilizes famesyl pyrophosphate to covalently modify the Cys thiol group of the Ras CAAX box with a farnesyl group (Reiss et al., Cell, 62:81-88 (1990); Schaber et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265:14701-14704 (1990); Schafer et al., Science, 249:1133-1139 (1990); Manne et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 87:7541-7545 (1990)). Inhibition of famesyl pyrophosphate biosynthesis by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase blocks Ras membrane localization in cultured cells. However, direct inhibition of faresylprotein transferase would be more specific and attended by fewer side WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -3effects than would occur with the required dose of a general inhibitor of isoprene biosynthesis.

Inhibitors of farnesyl-protein transferase (FPTase) have been described in two general classes. The first are analogs of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), while the second class of inhibitors is related to the protein substrates Ras) for the enzyme. The peptide derived inhibitors that have been described are generally cysteine containing molecules that are related to the CAAX motif that is the signal for protein prenylation. (Schaber et al., ibid; Reiss et. al., ibid; Reiss et al., PNAS, 88:732-736 (1991)). Such inhibitors may inhibit protein prenylation while serving as alternate substrates for the farnesyl-protein transferase enzyme, or may be purely competitive inhibitors (U.S.

Patent 5,141,851, University of Texas; N.E. Kohl et al., Science, 260:1934-1937 (1993); Graham, et al., J. Med. Chem., 37, 725 (1994)).

In general, deletion of the thiol from a CAAX derivative has been shown to dramatically reduce the inhibitory potency of the compound.

However, the thiol group potentially places limitations on the therapeutic application of FPTase inhibitors with respect to pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity. Therefore, a functional replacement for the thiol is desirable.

It has recently been reported that faresyl-protein transferase inhibitors are inhibitors of proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and are therefore useful in the prevention and thereapy of arteriosclerosis and diabetic disturbance of blood vessels (JP H7- 112930).

It has recently been disclosed that certain tricyclic compounds which optionally incorporate a piperidine moiety are inhibitors of FPTase (WO 95/10514, WO 95/10515 and WO 95/10516).

Imidazole-containing inhibitors of farnesyl protein transferase have also been disclosed (WO 95/09001 and EP 0 675 112 Al).

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to develop peptidomimetic compounds that do not have a thiol moiety, and that will inhibit farnesyl-protein transferase and thus, the post-translational farnesylation of proteins. It is a further object of this invention to WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -4develop chemotherapeutic compositions containing the compounds of this invention and methods for producing the compounds of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises small molecule peptidomimetic urea-containing compounds which inhibit the farnesylprotein transferase. The instant compounds lack a thiol moiety and thus offer unique advantages in terms of improved pharmacokinetic behavior in animals, prevention of thiol-dependent chemical reactions, such as rapid autoxidation and disulfide formation with endogenous thiols, and reduced systemic toxicity. Further contained in this invention are chemotherapeutic compositions containing these farnesyl transferase inhibitors and methods for their production.

The compounds of this invention are illustrated by the formula I: V A'(CRa 2

)A

2 (CRa 2 )n W (CR2)p-(CR 2

)-Y

R5b R 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The compounds of this invention are useful in the inhibition of farnesyl-protein transferase and the farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras. In a first embodiment of this invention, the inhibitors of farnesyl-protein transferase are illustrated by the formula I: WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 Al(CRla 2

),A

2 (CRla 2 (CRlb 2 NL~ W, (CR 2 2

)-Y

R

5 Rs wherein: Ri1a, R Ib and R 2 are independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) aryl, heterocycle, C3-C1O cycloalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2- C6 ailkynyl, R 8

R

9

R

8

C(O)NR

8 CN, N02,

(R

8 )2N-C(NR 8

R

8

R

8 N3, -N(R 8 or

R

9

OC(O)NR

8 c) CI-C6 aikyl unsubstituted or substituted by aryl, heterocyclic, C3-C1O cycloalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, R 8

R

9

R

8 C(0)NR 8 CN, (R 8 )2N-

C(NR

8

R

8

R

8 N3, -N(R 8 or

R

9

OC(O)-NR

8

R

3 and R 4 are independently selected from F, Cl, Br, N(R 8 CF3, N02, (R 8

(R

9

(R

8 H2N-

(R

8

(R

8 N3, CN, CF3(CH2)nO-,

(R

9

)OC(O)NR

8 Cl-C20 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl and substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; and R5b are independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic, d) unsubstituted or substituted C3-C1O cycloallcyl, and e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted aryl, WO 97/27752 WO 9727752PCTIUS97/01599 -6unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C3-ClO cycloalkyl, N(R 8 CF3, N02, (R 8

(R

9 )S (R 8 H2N-C(NH)-, (R 8

(R

8 N3, CN (R 9

)OC(O)NR

8

R

6 is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) aryl, heterocycle, C3-C 10 cycloalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2- C6 alkynyl, perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, Br, R 8

R

9 S(O)m-,

R

8

C(O)NR

8 CN, N02, R 8 2N-C(NR 8

R

8

R

8 N3, -N(R 8 or R 9

OC(O)NR

8 and c) C1.-C6 alkyl. unsubstituted or substituted by aryl, heterocycle, C3-C1O cycloalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, Br, R 8

R

9 S(O)m-,

R

8 C(O)NH-, CN, H2N-C(NII)-, R 8

R

8 N3,

-N(R

8 or R 8

OC(O)NH-;

R

7 is selected from: a) hydrogen, b) C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, Br,

R

8

R

9

R

8

C(O)NR

8 CN, N02,

(R

8 )2N-C-(NR 8

R

8

R

8 N3, -N(R 8 or

R

9

OC(O)NR

8 and c) C1I-C6 alkyl. unsubstituted or substituted by perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, Br, R 8

R

9

R

8

C(O)NR

8 CN, (R 8 )2N-

C(NR

8

R

8

R

8 N3, -N(R 8 or

R

9

OC(O)NR

8

R

8 is independently selected from hydrogen, ClI -C6 alkyl, benzyl and aryl.;

R

9 is independently selected from C I-C6 alkyl. and aryl; AlI and A 2 are independently selected from: a bond, -CH=CH-,

-C(O)NR

8 O, -N(R 8

-S(O)

2

N(R

8

-N(R

8 )S(0) 2 or S(0)m; V is selected from: a) hydrogen, b) heterocycle, c) aryl, d) C 1

-C

2 0 alkyl wherein from 0 to 4 carbon atoms are replaced with a heteroatom selected from O, S, and N, and e) C 2

-C

20 alkenyl, provided that V is not hydrogen if A' is S(0)m and V is not hydrogen if A' is a bond, n is 0 and A2 is S(0)m; W is a heterocycle; Y is aryl or heteroaryl; m is 0,1 or 2; nis 0,1, 2, 3 or 4; pis 0,1,2, 3 or 4; r is 0 to 5, provided that r is 0 when V is hydrogen; and tis 0orl; provided that when t is 0, V and R 6 are not heterocycle; provided that when t is 1, V is not hydrogen or CI-C 3 alkyl and -A'(CR a A2(CRan- is not a bond; eo or an optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A preferred embodiment of the compounds of this invention are illustrated by the formula Ia: C o c.

C. C

S

C

C CS e C

C

LU

-T O [R:\LIBAA]07625.doc:TAB WO 97/27752 PTU9/19 PCTIUS97/01599 -8-

(R

6 )r I4

(CR

2 2 )p wherein: Ri1a and R 2 are independently selected from: hydrogen or C Il-C6 alkyl; Rib is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) aryl, heterocycle, cycloalicyl, R 8

-N(R

8 )2 or C2-C6 0 aikenyl, C) C1I-C6 alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, R 8 or -N(R 8 )2;

R

3 and R 4 are independently selected from F, Cl, Br, N(R 8 CF3, N02, (R 8

(R

9

(R

8 H2N-

(R

8

(R

8 N3, CN,

(R

9

)OC(O)NR

8 C1I-C20 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted. aryl and substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; and R5b are independently selected from: a) hydrogen, and b) C1-C6 ailkyl substituted with hydrogen or a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted. or substituted heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C3-C1O cycloalkyl, N(R 8 CF3, N02, (R 8 (R9)S(O)Mg (R 8 )C(O)NEI-, 1 2 NC(NH)-, (R

N

3 CN (R 9

)OC(O)NR

8 R 6is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) CI-C 6 alkyl, C 2

-C

6 alkenyl, C 2

-C

6 alkynyl, C 1

-C

6 perfluoroalcyl, F, Cl, R 8 0-, R C(O)NR 8 CN, NO 2

(R

8 2

N-C(NR

8

R

8

-N(R

8 2 or R9OC(O)NR and C) C,-C 6 alkyl substituted by C,-C 6 perfluoroalkyl, R 8

R

8 C(O)NR 8

(R

8 2

N-C(NR

8

R

8

-N(R

8 2 or R 9

OC(O)NR

8

R

7 a is hydrogen or methyl;

R

8 is independently selected from hydrogen, C,-C 6 alkyl, benzyl and aryl; R9 is independently selected from C,-C 6 alkyl and aryl; A' and A 2 are independently selected from: a bond, -CH=CH-,

-C(O)NR

8 0, _NR),or V is phenyl; [RALIBAA07625.doc;TAB provided that V is not hydrogen if A' is and V is not hydrogen if A' is a bond, n is 0 and

A

2 is m is 0,l1or2; n is 0, 1, 2,3or 4; p is 0, 1, 2,3or 4; r is 0Oto provided that -AI(CR la 2 2 (CRa 2 is not a bond; or an optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof A second preferred embodiment of the compounds of this invention are illustrated by the formula 1b: 1 Ila A2 I a l b 0 V A C A2)-)t (C)R (CR_ ~N N (C2)p 1 5b4 R R lb wherein: R la Rand R 2 are independently selected from: hydrogen or C I-C 6 alkyl; R Ib is independently selected from: e.I a) hydrogen, aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, R 8

-N(R

8 2 or C 2

-C

6 alkenyl, C) C ,-C 6 alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, R 8 or -N(R )2; R R 3 and RW are independently selected from F, Cl, Br N(R 8 2

CF

3 N0 2

(R

8

(R

9 )S(O)m, 0(R 8

H

2

(R

8

(R

8 N3, CN, (R)CON 8

,CI-

2 ::~.alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl and substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; a.

a p. p a a a [R:\LIBAA307625.doc:TAB

R

5 and R 5b are independently selected from: a) hydrogen, and b) CI-C 6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C 3

-CI

0 cycloalkyl, N(R CF 3

NO

2

(R

8

(R

9 (R 8

)C(O)NI{,

H

2 N-C(NII)-, (R 8

(R

8

N

3 CN (R 9

)OC(O)NR

8 R 6is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) C,-C 6 alkyl, C 2

-C

6 alkenyl, C 2

-C

6 alkynyl, CI-C 6 perfluoroalcyl, F, Cl, R 8 0_,

R

8

C(O)NR

8 CN, NO 2

(R

8 2

N-C(NR

8

R

8

-N(R

8 2 or

R

9

OC(O)NR

8 and C) C 1

-C

6 alkyl substituted by C 1

-C

6 perfluoroalkyl, R 8

R

8

C(O)NR

8

(R

8 2

N-C(NR

8 R 8

R

8

-N(R

8 2 or R 9

OC(O)NR

8 R( 7is selected from: hydrogen and C I-C 6 alkyl; *8 isidpnetyslce rmhydrogen, C-6alkyl, bezlandarl R9 is independently selected from C,-C 6 benzy. andyryl 2 8 A' and A 2 are independently selected from: a bond, -CH=CH-, -CEEC-, -C(O)NR 8 0, -NR),or S.2o V is phenyl; [R:\LJBAA]07625.do..TAB 12 W is a heterocycle selected from pyrrolidinyl, pyridinyl, thiazolyl, pyridonyl, 2-oxopiperidinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, or isoquinolinyl; m is 0,l1or2; n is 0, 1,2, 3or 4; p is 0, 1,2, 3or 4; r is 0 to 5, provided that r is 0 when V is hydrogen; and t is 1; provided that (CRla 2 )nA 2 (CR la 2 is not a bond; or an optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a more preferred embodiment of this invention, the inhibitors of farnesyl-protein transferase are illustrated by the formula lc: (CR 2)p N N R R 9@ 000000 a 0* 0e 0 0 0 000 0 0 0 0 0 00 900** 0 0000 0 0* 0* 00 00 0000 09 .0 0 0 0 0 *00 0 0**0*0 0 At '7r- [R:\LIBAA]07625.doc.TAB WO 97/27752 PCTIUS97/01599 13 wherein: Rib is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, R 8

-N(R

8 )2 or C2-C6 alkenyl, c) C1I-C6 alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, R 8 or -N(R 8 )2;

R

2 are independently selected from: hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl;

R

3 and R 4 are independently selected from F, Cl, Br, N(R 8 CF3, N02, (R 8

(R

9

(R

8 H2N-

(R

8

(R

8 N3, CN,

(R

9

)OC(O)NR

8 C1I-C20 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl and substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; and R5b are independently selected from: a) hydrogen, and b) CI -C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C3-C10 cycloalkyl, N(R 8 CF3, N02, (R 8

(R

9

(R

8 H2N-C(NH)-, (R 8

(R

8 N3, CN (R 9

)OC(O)NR

8

R

6 is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) C1I-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1I-C6 periluoroalkyl, F, Cl, R 8

R

8

C(O)NR

8 CN, N02,

(R

8 )2N-C(NR 8

R

8

R

8

-N(R

8 or

R

9

OC(O)NR

8 and 14 C) CI-C 6 alkyl substituted by C 1

-C

6 perfluoroalkyl, R 80-, R 8

C(O)NR

8

(R

8

),N-C(NR

8 R 8

-N(R

8 2 or R 9

OC(O)NR

8

R

8 is independently selected from hydrogen, CI-C 6 alkyl, benzyl and aryl;

R

9 is independently selected from C 1

-C

6 alkyl and aryl; m is 0,l1or 2;and p is 0,1, 2, 3or 4; or an optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof In a second more preferred embodiment of this invention, the inhibitors 6f farnesyl-protein transferase are illustrated by the formula Id:

H

(CR 2)p NN(CR 2)p R R NC

I

wherein: 00: R bis independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, R 8 -N(R 8 2 or C 2

-C

6 alkenyl, %.0 .064 C) CI-C 6 alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, alkenyl,

R

8 or 2 0 R2 are independently selected from: hydrogen or CI-C 6 alkyl;

R

3 and RW and independently selected from F, Cl, Br, N(R 8 2

CF

3

NO

2

(R

8

(R)S(O)M,

(R

8 )C(O)NII-, H 2

(R

8

(R

8

N

3 CN, (R 9 )OC(O)NR 8

C

1

-C

20 OV alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl and substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; R 5 a and RWb are independently selected from: a) hydrogen, 0~:and b) C 1

-C

6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C 3 -CIO cycloalkyl, N(R 8)2, CF 3

NO

2

(R

9 (R8)C(O)NH-,

H

2

(R

8

(R

8

N

3 CN (R 9

)OC(O)NR

8

R

8 is independently selected from hydrogen, CI-C 6 alkyl, benzyl and aryl;

R

9 is independently selected from CI-C 6 alkyl and aryl; m is 0,l1or 2;and [R:\LIRIAA]07625.doc:TAB pis O,1,2,3or4; or an optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Specific examples of the compounds of the invention are: N-(3-chlorophenyl)-N 1 -(4-cyanobenzyl)-5-imidazolylmethyl]-N ~(n-penty1)urea hydrochloride (1) 4S *s em

C

S.

S S 5 0 COO C

C.

C C S S

CS

C

CmOS..

C

CS..

CC

C

CS

C S C

OS

OS

*SSC

5* C S

SC

C SC C C 5 Coo

C

0 SO SOS

C

[R:.\LIBAA]07625.dom:TAB WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -16-

CH

3

NC

N- a, N-(3-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-[l1-(4-cyanobenzyl)-5-imidazolylmethyl]-N'-(n-pentyl)urea hydrochloride (8)

CH

3

NC-

CH

3 or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

The compounds of the present invention may have asymmetric centers and occur as racemates, racemic mixtures, and as individual diastereomers, with all possible isomers, including optical isomers, being included in the present invention. When any variable aryl, heterocycle, Rla, R 2 etc.) occurs more than one time in any constituent, its definition on each occurence is independent at every other occurence. Also, combinations of substituents/or variables are permissible only if such combinations result in stable compounds.

As used herein, "alkyl" is intended to include both branched and straight-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbon atoms; "alkoxy" represents an alkyl group of indicated number of carbon atoms attached through an oxygen WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -17bridge. "Halogen" or "halo" as used herein means fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

As used herein, "aryl" is intended to mean any stable monocyclic or bicyclic carbon ring of up to 7 members in each ring, wherein at least one ring is aromatic. Examples of such aryl elements include phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, biphenyl, phenanthryl, anthryl or acenaphthyl.

The term heterocycle or heterocyclic, as used herein, represents a stable 5- to 7-membered monocyclic or stable 8- to 11membered bicyclic heterocyclic ring which is either saturated or unsaturated, and which consists of carbon atoms and from one to four heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, 0, and S, and including any bicyclic group in which any of the above-defined heterocyclic rings is fused to a benzene ring. The heterocyclic ring may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in the creation of a stable structure. Examples of such heterocyclic elements include, but are not limited to, azepinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzofurazanyl, benzopyranyl, benzothiopyranyl, benzofuryl, benzothiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, chromanyl, cinnolinyl, dihydrobenzofuryl, dihydrobenzothienyl, dihydrobenzothiopyranyl, dihydrobenzothiopyranyl sulfone, furyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolyl, indolinyl, indolyl, isochromanyl, isoindolinyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolidinyl, isothiazolyl, isothiazolidinyl, morpholinyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, 2-oxoazepinyl, 2-oxopiperazinyl, 2oxopiperdinyl, 2-oxopyrrolidinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, thiamorpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl sulfoxide, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, thienofuryl, thienothienyl, and thienyl.

As used herein, "heteroaryl" is intended to mean any stable monocyclic or bicyclic carbon ring of up to 7 members in each ring, wherein at least one ring is aromatic and wherein from one to four carbon atoms are replaced by heteroatoms selected from the group WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 18 consisting of N, 0, and S. Examples of such heterocyclic elements include, but are not limited to, benzimidazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzofurazanyl, benzopyranyl, benzothiopyranyl, benzofuryl, benzothiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, chromanyl, cinnolinyl, dihydrobenzofuryl, dihydrobenzothienyl, dihydrobenzothiopyranyl, dihydrobenzothiopyranyl sulfone, furyl, imidazolyl, indolinyl, indolyl, isochromanyl, isoindolinyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, thiazolyl, thienofuryl, thienothienyl, and thienyl.

Lines drawn into the ring systems from substituents (such as from R 3

R

4 etc.) indicate that the indicated bond may be attached to any of the substitutable ring carbon atoms.

Preferably, Ria, Rib and R 2 are independently selected from: hydrogen, -N(R 8

R

8 C(0)NR 8 or C1-C6 ailkyl unsubstituted or substituted by -N(R 8

R

8 0- or R 8

C(O)NR

8 Preferably, R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from: hydrogen, perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, Br, R 8

R

9 CN, N02,

R

8 2N-C(NR 8

R

8

R

8 N3, -N(R 8 or R 9 OC(0)NR 8 and C1I-C6 alkyl.

Preferably, R5a and R5b are independently selected from hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen, R 9 CF3or an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group.

Preferably, R6 is selected from: hydrogen, perfluoroalcyl, F, Cl, Br, R 8

R

9 CN, N02, R 8 2N-C(NR 8

R

8

R

8 N3, -N(R 8 or R 9

OC(O)NR

8 and C1-C6 ailkyl.

Preferably, R 7 is hydrogen or methyl. Most preferably,

R

7 is hydrogen.

Preferably, R 8 is selected from H, C I -C6 alkyl and benzyl.

Preferably, A 1 and A 2 are independently selected from: a bond, -C(0)NR 8

-NR

8 0, -N(R 8 -S(0)2N(R 8 and-

N(R

8 WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -19- Preferably, V is selected from hydrogen, heterocycle and aryl. Most preferably, V is phenyl.

Preferably, Y is selected from phenyl, pyridyl, furyl and thienyl. Most preferably, Y is phenyl.

Preferably, n, p and r are independently 0, 1, or 2.

Preferably t is 1.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include the conventional non-toxic salts of the compounds of this invention as formed, from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. For example, such conventional non-toxic salts include those derived from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfamic, phosphoric, nitric and the like: and the salts prepared from organic acids such as acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, stearic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, pamoic, maleic, hydroxymaleic, phenylacetic, glutamic, benzoic, salicylic, sulfanilic, 2-acetoxy-benzoic, fumaric, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethane disulfonic, oxalic, isethionic, trifluoroacetic and the like.

It is intended that the definition of any substituent or variable Ria, Z, n, etc.) at a particular location in a molecule be independent of its definitions elsewhere in that molecule. Thus,

-N(R

8 )2 represents -NHH, -NHCH3, -NHC2H5, etc. It is understood that substituents and substitution patterns on the compounds of the instant invention can be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art to provide compounds that are chemically stable and that can be readily synthesized by techniques known in the art, as well as those methods set forth below, from readily available starting materials.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention can be synthesized from the compounds of this invention which contain a basic moiety by conventional chemical methods.

Generally, the salts are prepared either by ion exchange chromatography or by reacting the free base with stoichiometric amounts or with an excess of the desired salt-forming inorganic or organic acid in a suitable solvent or various combinations of solvents.

WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 Reactions used to generate the compounds of this invention are prepared by employing reactions as shown in Schemes 1-13, in addition to other standard manipulations such as ester hydrolysis, cleavage of protecting groups, etc., as may be known in the literature or exemplified in the experimental procedures. Substituents R' and R'CH2as shown in the Schemes, represent the substituents R 8

R

9 and others, depending on the compound of the instant invention that is being synthesized. The variable p' represents p-1.

These reactions may be employed in a linear sequence to provide the compounds of the invention or they may be used to synthesize fragments which are subsequently joined by the alkylation reactions described in the Schemes.

Synopsis of Schemes 1-13: The requisite intermediates are in some cases commercially available, or can be prepared according to literature procedures, for the most part. Schemes 1-3 illustrates the synthesis of one of the preferred embodiments of the instant invention, wherein the variable W is present as a imidazolyl moiety that is substituted with a suitably substituted benzyl group. Substituted protected imidazole alkanols II can be prepared by methods known in the art, such as those described by F.

Schneider, Z. Physiol. Chem., 3:206-210 (1961) and C.P. Stewart, Biochem. Journal, 17:130-133(1923). Benzylation and deprotection of the imidazole alkanol provides intermediate III which can be oxidized to the corresponding aldehyde IV. Aldehyde IV can then be reductively coupled to a suitably substituted amine to provide intermediate V.

Scheme 2 illustrates other methods of preparing amine intermediates. Thus, the alkanol II may be converted to the corresponding amine VI via the azide. Alternatively, if the appropriately substituted protected amine, such as a protected histamine VII, is available, that reagent may be ring alkylated to provide the intermediate amine VIII.

Amines such as those illustrated in Schemes 1 and 2 may be reacted with a suitably substituted isocyanate IX to provide the instant WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -21 compound X. Compound X can be selectively N-alkylated under standard conditions, such as those illustrated, to provide the instant compound XI.

Schemes 4-7 illustrate syntheses of suitably substituted alkanols useful in the syntheses of the instant compounds wherein the variable W is present as a pyridyl moiety. Similar synthetic strategies for preparing alkanols that incorporate other heterocyclic moieties for variable W are also well known in the art.

The isocyanate IX can be reacted with a variety of other amines, such as XII, as shown in Scheme 8. The product XIII can be deprotected to give the instant compound XIV. The compound XIV is isolated in the salt form, for example, as a trifluoroacetate, hydrochloride or acetate salt, among others. Compound XIV can further be selectively protected to obtain XV which can subsequently be reductively alkylated with a second aldehyde, such as XVI, to obtain XVII. Removal of the protecting group, and conversion to cyclized products such as the dihydroimidazole XIX can be accomplished by literature procedures.

As shown in Scheme 9, a bis-protected aldehyde XX may be reacted with a suitable Grignard reagent to provide the secondary alcohol XXI. Subsequent protection and reductive deprotection provides the primary alcohol XXII. This alcohol can then be converted to the corresponding amine by the techniques illustrated in Schemes 1-2 above. Amine XXI may then be reacted with isocyanate IX to provide the carbamate XXIV. Removal of the protecting groups then provides the instant compound XXV In addition, a fully deprotected amino alcohol XXVII can be reductively alkylated (under conditions described previously) with a variety of aldehydes to obtain secondary amines, such as XXVIII (Scheme 10), or tertiary amines.

The Boc protected amino alcohol XXIX can also be utilized to synthesize 2-aziridinylmethylureas such as XXX (Scheme 11).

Treating XXIX with 1,1'-sulfonyldiimidazole and sodium hydride in a solvent such as dimethylformamide can lead to the formation of WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -22aziridine XXX. The aziridine can be reacted with a nucleophile, such as a thiol, in the presence of base to yield the ring-opened product XXXI.

In addition, the isocyanate IX can be reacted with aldehydes derived from amino acids such as O-alkylated tyrosines, according to standard procedures, to obtain compounds such as XXXVII, as shown in Scheme 12. When R' is an aryl group, XXXVII can first be hydrogenated to unmask the phenol, and the amine group deprotected with acid to produce XXXVIII. Alternatively, the amine protecting group in XXXVII can be removed, and O-alkylated phenolic amines such as IXL produced.

Schemes 13 illustrates an alternate preparation of the instant compounds. As shown in Scheme 13, the isocyanate XL is formed first and is then treated with the suitably substituted aniline such as XLI to provide the instant compound X.

WO 97/27752 PCT/IUS97/01599 23 SCHEME 1 Prot' X, Et 3

N

N

H DMF Prot"- N<,(C2)p.C2 0

H

Ila Ac 2 O, Py (CR'b b).CH2oAc prot'-N

N

Br EtOAc 2. N-deprotect (CR'b b).CH2oAc HIBr

N

TH

.iOH F, H 2 N (CR'b b)pCHO0H

N

WO 97/27752 WO 9727752PCT/US97/01599 -24- SCHEME 1 (continued)

SO

3 'Py, Et 3

N

DMSO

N/(CR'b b)pCHQ N

R

5 aNH 2 Na(AcO) 3

BH

WO 97/27752 WO 9727752PCT/US97/01599 25 SCHEME 2 1. MsCI, NEt 3 2. BU 4

N-N

3

N-

H

2 Pd/C P rot' N N H prot 2

H

Br Prot, N NH Prot 2 EtOAc Br R 6

I

deprotection

LNH

R6 Vill WO 97/27752 PCTIUS97/01599 26 N (CR lb 2 )p-NH 2 N Nal

OCNN

RF

HR3

H

N 0

\N~R

i, DMF 13 R 4 1le n-B

H

Rsb-x /l(CR2)p- ~quiv. NaH N

U

4 NI, DMF R >~6 WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 27 SCHEME 4

CH

3

H

2

NN

1) HNO 2 ,Br 2 2) KMnO 4 3) MeOH,H+

CO

2

CH

3 Br" N MgCI ZnC1 2 NiCI 2 (Ph 3

P)

2 NaBH 4 (excess) WO 97/27752 WO 9727752PCTIUS97/01599 28 SCHEME MgCI NaBH 4 (excess) Zn, CuCN SCH 2

OH

N

ZnCI 2 NiC1 2 (Ph 3

P)

2 NaBH 4 (excess)

-CO

2

CH

3

,CH

2 0H WO 97/27752 WO 9727752PCTfUS97/01599 29 SCHEME 6 1. LDA, 002 2. MeOH, HI MgCI ZnCI 2 NiCI 2 (Ph 3

P)

2 NaBH 4 (excess) HH PH20H WO 97/27752 WO 9727752PCTIUS97/01599 30 SCHEME 7 IN Br 1. LDA, 002 2. (CHA)SCHN 2 00 2

CH

3 Br

R

0 Br Zn, NiCI 2 (Ph 3

P)

2 excess NaBH4

R

N~ 00 2

CH

3

N~CH

2 0H WO 97/27752 PTU9/19 PCT/US97/01599 31 SCHEME 8 Prot' NH xvi prot 2

NH'CH

2

NH

2 NaH, DMF Prot' NH NR4 NHprot 2 0H NH2

RK

NHH

prot 3 NH N

NH

2 deprotect_ prot 3

X

c~yCHO NaBH(OAC) 3 Et 3 N CICH 2

CH

2

CI

-0 WO 97/27752 PCTIUS97/01599 32 SCHEME 8 (continued)

NH

0)

NH

2

N

H

NH

xviI deprotection

NC

AgCN L xvii,

R

3

F--N

XIX

WO 97/27752 PTU9/19 PCT/US97/01599 33 SCHEME 9 BnO Prot' NH ICHO R'MgX

,OH

Prot' NH xx' BnO.

prot 2

X

HO

Prot NH)' 0 .Oprot 2 20% Pd(OH) 2

H

2

CH

3 0H

CH

3 00 2

H

OProt 2 Prot' NH XXII xx" xx"'l WO 97/27752 WO 9727752PCT/US97/01599 34 SCHEME 9 (continued)

OCN

R

3

R

4 NaH, DMF Prot 2 o xIv deprotection HO NR4

H

Rl NH 2 R

RI-

XXV

WO 97/27752 WO 9727752PCTIUS97/01599 35 SCEM BnO Prot'NH CHO

R

5 aNH 2 Na(AcO) 3

BH

BnONH~ Prot, NH

NH

BnO, Prot,'NH

OH

R

5 a =H

OCN

R 3 R 4

-NH

deprotection NaH, DMF NHProt 1

H-

XXVI

R

3 HO

N

R

3

NXVI

RCHO

NaBH(OAC) 3

CICH

2

CH

2

CI

0 HO NH ,NH

R'CH

2 R

XXVIII

WO 97/27752 WO 9727752PCTIUS97/01599 36 SCHEME 11 0 BnO N 5 NHBoc XVIla

R

NH

HO Na R

R

5 NHBocjJ

R

3 20% Pd(OH) 2

H

2

CH

3 0H

CH

3 00 2

H

H H S" Ns NaH, DMF 0 0

C

xxix 0NH -N R

R

3

R'SH

(C

2

H

5 3 N A

CH

3 0H xxx TFA R'S N

CH

2

CI

2

NH

2

XXXI

WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 37 SCHEME 12

HO

H

2 N C0 2

H

1) ProtlX 2) CH 2

N

2 EtOAc rtN

XXXII

XXXIII

LiAIH 4

THE

0-20 0 C Prot 1

NH

R'CH

2

X

CS

2

CO

3

DMF

CH

2

OH

xxxiv 1. DMSO, Et 3

N

CICOCOCI

2. R 5 aNH 2 Na(AcO) 3

BH

R'CH

2 0 Prot'NH

CH

2 NHRa Prot' NH xxxv XXX XXX VI WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 38 SCHEME 12 (continued)

RCH

Prot' NH

OCN

ix NaH, DMF xxxv i xxxvi" 1) 20% Pd(OH) 2

CH

3 OH, CH 3

CO

2

H

2) deprotect/ deprotect

R-CH

2 0 NH2 IXL

R

xxxv"'l WO 97/27752 WO 9727752PCT/US97I01599 39 SCHEME 13

N

0 11 cI 3 c-0-c-o-CC1 3 (C R' b)pNCO

N

XL

NaH

H

2

N

IDMF

R 3

R

4

XLI

N

\N~R

WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 The instant compounds are useful as pharmaceutical agents for mammals, especially for humans. These compounds may be administered to patients for use in the treatment of cancer. Examples of the type of cancer which may be treated with the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, colorectal carcinoma, exocrine pancreatic carcinoma, myeloid leukemias and neurological tumors.

Such tumors may arise by mutations in the ras genes themselves, mutations in the proteins that can regulate Ras formation neurofibromen neu, scr, abl, Ick, fyn) or by other mechanisms.

The compounds of the instant invention inhibit farnesylprotein transferase and the farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras.

The instant compounds may also inhibit tumor angiogenisis, thereby affecting the growth of tumors Rak et al. Cancer Research, 55:4575- 4580 (1995)). Such anti-angiogenisis properties of the instant compounds may also be useful in the treatment of certain forms of blindness related to retinal vascularization.

The compounds of this invention are also useful for inhibiting other proliferative diseases, both benign and malignant, wherein Ras proteins are aberrantly activated as a result of oncogenic mutation in other genes the Ras gene itself is not activated by mutation to an oncogenic form) with said inhibition being accomplished by the administration of an effective amount of the compounds of the invention to a mammal in need of such treatment. For example, a component of NF-1 is a benign proliferative disorder.

The instant compounds may also be useful in the treatment of certain viral infections, in particular in the treatment of hepatitis delta and related viruses Glenn et al. Science, 256:1331-1333 (1992).

The compounds of the instant invention are also useful in the prevention of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty by inhibiting neointimal formation Indolfi et al. Nature Medicine, 1:541-545(1995).

The instant compounds may also be useful in the treatment and prevention of polycystic kidney disease Schaffner et al.

WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -41- American Journal of Pathology, 142:1051-1060 (1993) and B. Cowley, Jr. et al.FASEB Journal, 2:A3160 (1988)).

The compounds of this invention may be administered to mammals, preferably humans, either alone or, preferably, in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents, optionally with known adjuvants, such as alum, in a pharmaceutical composition, according to standard pharmaceutical practice. The compounds can be administered orally or parenterally, including the intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, rectal and topical routes of administration.

For oral use of a chemotherapeutic compound according to this invention, the selected compound may be administered, for example, in the form of tablets or capsules, or as an aqueous solution or suspension. In the case of tablets for oral use, carriers which are commonly used include lactose and corn starch, and lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, are commonly added. For oral administration in capsule form, useful diluents include lactose and dried corn starch. When aqueous suspensions are required for oral use, the active ingredient is combined with emulsifying and suspending agents.

If desired, certain sweetening and/or flavoring agents may be added.

For intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous and intravenous use, sterile solutions of the active ingredient are usually prepared, and the pH of the solutions should be suitably adjusted and buffered. For intravenous use, the total concentration of solutes should be controlled in order to render the preparation isotonic.

The present invention also encompasses a pharmaceutical composition useful in the treatment of cancer, comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the compounds of this invention, with or without pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents. Suitable compositions of this invention include aqueous solutions comprising compounds of this invention and pharmacologically acceptable carriers, saline, at a pH level, 7.4. The solutions may be introduced into a patient's intramuscular blood-stream by local bolus injection.

WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -42- When a compound according to this invention is administered into a human subject, the daily dosage will normally be determined by the prescribing physician with the dosage generally varying according to the age, weight, and response of the individual patient, as well as the severity of the patient's symptoms.

In one exemplary application, a suitable amount of compound is administered to a mammal undergoing treatment for cancer. Administration occurs in an amount between about 0.1 mg/kg of body weight to about 60 mg/kg of body weight per day, preferably of between 0.5 mg/kg of body weight to about 40 mg/kg of body weight per day.

The compounds of the instant invention are also useful as a component in an assay to rapidly determine the presence and quantity of farnesyl-protein transferase (FPTase) in a composition.

Thus the composition to be tested may be divided and the two portions contacted with mixtures which comprise a known substrate of FPTase (for example a tetrapeptide having a cysteine at the amine terminus) and farnesyl pyrophosphate and, in one of the mixtures, a compound of the instant invention. After the assay mixtures are incubated for an sufficient period of time, well known in the art, to allow the FPTase to farnesylate the substrate, the chemical content of the assay mixtures may be determined by well known immunological, radiochemical or chromatographic techniques.

Because the compounds of the instant invention are selective inhibitors of FPTase, absence or quantitative reduction of the amount of substrate in the assay mixture without the compound of the instant invention relative to the presence of the unchanged substrate in the assay containing the instant compound is indicative of the presence of FPTase in the composition to be tested.

It would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that such an assay as described above would be useful in identifying tissue samples which contain farnesyl-protein transferase and quantitating the enzyme. Thus, potent inhibitor compounds of the instant invention may be used in an active site titration assay to Xi WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -43determine the quantity of enzyme in the sample. A series of samples composed of aliquots of a tissue extract containing an unknown amount of farnesyl-protein transferase, an excess amount of a known substrate of FPTase (for example a tetrapeptide having a cysteine at the amine terminus) and farnesyl pyrophosphate are incubated for an appropriate period of time in the presence of varying concentrations of a compound of the instant invention. The concentration of a sufficiently potent inhibitor one that has a Ki substantially smaller than the concentration of enzyme in the assay vessel) required to inhibit the enzymatic activity of the sample by 50% is approximately equal to half of the concentration of the enzyme in that particular sample.

EXAMPLES

Examples provided are intended to assist in a further understanding of the invention. Particular materials employed, species and conditions are intended to be further illustrative of the invention and not limitative of the reasonable scope thereof.

EXAMPLE 1 N-(3-chlorophenyl)-N'-[1-( 4 pentyl)urea hydrochloride (1) Step 1: Preparation of 1-triphenylmethyl-4-(hydroxymethyl)imidazole (2) To a solution of 4-(hydroxymethyl)imidazole hydrochloride (35 g) in 250 mL of dry DMF at room temperature was added triethylamine (90.6 mL). A white solid precipitated from the solution. Chlorotriphenylmethane (76.1 g) in 500 mL of DMF was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 hours, poured over ice, filtered, and washed with ice water. The resulting product was WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -44slurried with cold dioxane, filtered, and dried in vacuo to provide 2 as a white solid which was sufficiently pure for use in the next step.

Step 2: Preparation of 1-triphenylmethyl-4-(acetoxymethyl)imidazole (3) Alcohol 2 (prepared above) was suspended in 500 mL of pyridine. Acetic anhydride (74 mL) was added dropwise, and the reaction was stirred for 48 hours during which it became homogeneous.

The solution was poured into 2 L of EtOAc, washed with water (3 x 1 5% aq. HC1 soln. (2 x 1 sat. aq. NaHCO 3 and brine, then dried (Na 2

SO

4 filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to provide the crude product. The acetate 3 was isolated as a white powder (85.8 g) which was sufficiently pure for use in the next step.

Step 3: Preparation of 1-(4-cyanobenzyl)-5- (acetoxvmethvl)imidazole hvdrobromide (4) A solution of 3 (85.8 g) and a-bromo-p-tolunitrile (50.1 g) in 500 mL of EtOAc was stirred at 60 °C for 20 hours, during which a pale yellow precipitate formed. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and filtered to provide the solid imidazolium bromide salt.

The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to a volume 200 mL, reheated at °C for two hours, cooled to room temperature, and filtered again.

The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to a volume 100 mL, reheated at °C for another two hours, cooled to room temperature, and concentrated in vacuo to provide a pale yellow solid. All of the solid material was combined, dissolved in 500 mL of methanol, and warmed to 60 After two hours, the solution was reconcentrated in vacuo to provide a white solid which was triturated with hexane to remove soluble materials. Removal of residual solvents in vacuo provided the titled product hydrobromide as a white solid (50.4 g, 89% purity by HPLC) which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step 4: Preparation of 1-(4-cyanobenzyl)-5-(hydroxymethyl)imidazole WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 To a solution of the acetate 4 (50.4 g) in 1.5 L of 3:1 THF/water at 0 OC was added lithium hydroxide monohydrate (18.9 g).

After one hour, the reaction was concentrated in vacuo, diluted with EtOAc (3 and washed with water, sat. aq. NaHCO 3 and brine. The solution was then dried (Na 2 S04), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to provide the crude product (26.2 g) as a pale yellow fluffy solid which was sufficiently pure for use in the next step without further purification.

Step 5: Preparation of 1-(4-cyanobenzyl)-5-imidazolecarboxaldehyde (6) To a solution of the alcohol 5 (21.5 g) in 500 mL of DMSO at room temperature was added triethylamine (56 mL), then SO3pyridine complex (40.5 After 45 minutes, the reaction was poured into 2.5 L of EtOAc, washed with water (4 x 1 L) and brine, dried (Na 2 SO4), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to provide the aldehyde 6 (18.7 g) as a white powder which was sufficiently pure for use in the next step without further purification.

Step 6: Preparation of 1-(4-cyanobenzyl)-5-(n-pentylaminomethvl)imidazole (7) To a solution of the aldehyde 6 (132 mg) in 3 mL of 1,2dichloroethane at 0 OC was added 4A powdered molecular sieves (300 mg), n-pentylamine (0.217 mL), and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (260 mg). After five days, the reaction was poured into EtOAc and washed with water, sat. aq. NaHCO 3 and brine, dried (Na 2 SO4), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to provide the amine 7 as a brown oil which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step 7: Preparation of N-(3-chlorophenyl)-N'-[1-(4-cyanobenzyl)hydrochloride (1) To a solution of the amine 7 (prepared above) in 2 mL of dry DMF at 0 °C was added NaH (37 mg, 60% dispersion in mineral oil). The solution was warmed to room temperature for 10 minutes, jC~_ic WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -46then recooled to 0 oC. 3-Chlorophenylisocyanate (0.084 mL) was added dropwise, and the cooling bath was removed. After three hours, the reaction was poured into EtOAc/hexane and water, washed with sat. aq. NaHCO 3 and brine, dried (Na 2

SO

4 filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to provide the crude urea 1 as a yellow foam. Half of this material was purified by silica gel chromatography MeOH/CH 2 Cl 2 taken up in CH 2 C1 2 and treated with 1 M HCI/ether solution, and concentrated in vacuo. The product hydrochloride 1 mg) was isolated as a yellow solid.

FAB mass spectrum m/e 436 Analysis calculated for C 24

H

26 C1N 5 0 1.00 HCI 1.10 H 2 0: C, 58.56; H, 5.98; N, 14.23; Found: C, 58.58; H, 6.14; N, 13.26.

EXAMPLE 2 N-(3-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N'- methvll-N'-(n-pentvl)urea hydrochloride (8) To a solution of urea 1 (remaining half of crude product prepared above) in 1 mL of dry DMF at 0 oC was added NaH (14 mg, dispersion in mineral oil). After 15 minutes, iodomethane (0.029 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction was stirred at 0 OC for four hours, then poured into EtOAc/hexane and water, washed with sat.

aq. NaHCO 3 and brine, dried (Na 2

SO

4 filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to provide a purple oil. This material was purified by silica gel chromatography MeOH/CH 2 C1 2 taken up in CH 2 C1 2 and treated with 1 M HCl/ether solution, and concentrated in vacuo. The product hydrochloride 8 (22 mg) was isolated as a yellow solid.

FAB mass spectrum m/e 450 Analysis calculated for C 25

H

28 C1N 5 0 1.20 HC1 1.60 H 2 0: C, 57.46; H, 6.25; N, 13.40; WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -47- Found: C, 57.52; H, 6.27; N, 12.55.

EXAMPLE 3 In vitro inhibition of ras farnesvl transferase Assays of farnesyl-protein transferase. Partially purified bovine FPTase and Ras peptides (Ras-CVLS, Ras-CVIM and Ras-CAIL) were prepared as described by Schaber et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:14701- 14704 (1990), Pompliano, et al., Biochemistry 31:3800 (1992) and Gibbs et al., PNAS U.S.A. 86:6630-6634 (1989), respectively. Bovine FPTase was assayed in a volume of 100 gl containing 100 mM N-(2hydroxy ethyl) piperazine-N'-(2-ethane sulfonic acid) (HEPES), pH 7.4, mM MgC12, 5 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), 100 mM 3 H]-farnesyl diphosphate 3 H]-FPP; 740 CBq/mmol, New England Nuclear), 650 nM Ras-CVLS and 10 gg/ml FPTase at 31 0 C for 60 min. Reactions were initiated with FPTase and stopped with 1 ml of 1.0 M HCL in ethanol.

Precipitates were collected onto filter-mats using a TomTec Mach II cell harvestor, washed with 100% ethanol, dried and counted in an LKB j3plate counter. The assay was linear with respect to both substrates, FPTase levels and time; less than 10% of the 3 H]-FPP was utilized during the reaction period. Purified compounds were dissolved in 100% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and were diluted 20-fold into the assay. Percentage inhibition is measured by the amount of incorporation of radioactivity in the presence of the test compound when compared to the amount of incorporation in the absence of the test compound.

Human FPTase was prepared as described by Omer et al., Biochemistry 32:5167-5176 (1993). Human FPTase activity was assayed as described above with the exception that 0.1% (w/v) polyethylene glycol 20,000, 10 gM ZnC12 and 100 nI Ras-CVIM were added to the reaction mixture. Reactions were performed for 30 min., stopped with 100 gl of 30% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in ethanol and processed as described above for the bovine enzyme.

WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -48- The compounds of the instant invention described in Examples 1 and 2 were tested for inhibitory activity against human FPTase by the assay described above and were found to have IC50 of

LM.

EXAMPLE 4 In vivo ras farnesvlation assay The cell line used in this assay is a v-ras line derived from either Ratl or NIH3T3 cells, which expressed viral Ha-ras p21. The assay is performed essentially as described in DeClue, J.E. et al., Cancer Research 51:712-717, (1991). Cells in 10 cm dishes at 50-75% confluency are treated with the test compound (final concentration of solvent, methanol or dimethyl sulfoxide, is After 4 hours at 37 0 C, the cells are labelled in 3 ml methionine-free DMEM supplemeted with 10% regular DMEM, 2% fetal bovine serum and 400 mCi[ 3 5S]methionine (1000 Ci/mmol). After an additional 20 hours, the cells are lysed in 1 ml lysis buffer NP40/20 mM HEPES, pH 7.5/5 mM MgCl2/lmM DTT/10 mg/ml aprotinen/2 mg/ml leupeptin/2 mg/ml antipain/0.5 mM PMSF) and the lysates cleared by centrifugation at 100,000 x g for 45 min. Aliquots of lysates containing equal numbers of acid-precipitable counts are bought to 1 ml with IP buffer (lysis buffer lacking DTT) and immunoprecipitated with the ras-specific monoclonal antibody Y13-259 (Furth, M.E. et al., J. Virol. 43:294-304, (1982)). Following a 2 hour antibody incubation at 4 0 C, 200 ml of a suspension of protein A-Sepharose coated with rabbit anti rat IgG is added for 45 min. The immunoprecipitates are washed four times with IP buffer (20 nM HEPES, pH 7.5/1 mM EDTA/1% Triton X- 100.0.5% deoxycholate/0.1%/SDS/0.1 M NaCI) boiled in SDS-PAGE sample buffer and loaded on 13% acrylamide gels. When the dye front reached the bottom, the gel is fixed, soaked in Enlightening, dried and autoradiographed. The intensities of the bands corresponding to farnesylated and nonfarnesylated ras proteins are compared to determine the percent inhibition of farnesyl transfer to protein.

WO 97/27752 PCT/US97/01599 -49- EXAMPLE In vivo growth inhibition assay To determine the biological consequences of FPTase inhibition, the effect of the compounds of the instant invention on the anchorage-independent growth of Ratl cells transformed with either a v-ras, v-raf, or v-mos oncogene is tested. Cells transformed by v-Raf and v-Mos maybe included in the analysis to evaluate the specificity of instant compounds for Ras-induced cell transformation.

Rat 1 cells transformed with either v-ras, v-raf, or v-mos are seeded at a density of 1 x 104 cells per plate (35 mm in diameter) in a 0.3% top agarose layer in medium A (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum) over a bottom agarose layer Both layers contain 0.1% methanol or an appropriate concentration of the instant compound (dissolved in methanol at 1000 times the final concentration used in the assay). The cells are fed twice weekly with 0.5 ml of medium A containing 0.1% methanol or the concentration of the instant compound.

Photomicrographs are taken 16 days after the cultures are seeded and comparisons are made.

Claims (6)

1. A compound which inhibits famesyl-protein transferase of the formula 1: InA 0 C P_ V-Ai(CRla 2 A(CRla) AlbW2 1 1 2)PY R 5 R R wherein: Ria,, Rib and R 2 are independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) aryl, heterocycle, C3-C 10 cycloalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 ailkynyl, R 8 R 9 R 8 C(0)NR 8 CN, N02, (R 8 )2N-C(NR 8 c) R 8 R 8 N3, -N(R 8 or R 9 OC(O)NR 8 C) CI-C6 alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by aryl, heterocyclic, C3-CIO 1 cycloallcyl, C2-C6 alcenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, R 8 R 9 S(O)m-, R 8 C(0)NR 8 CN, (R 8 )2N-C(NR 8 R 8 R 8 N3,- N(R 8 or R 9 OC(0)-NR 8 *fe0* R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from H, F, Cl, Br, N(R 8 CF3, N02, (R 8 (R 9 (R 8 H2N-C(NH)-, (R 8 20 (R 8 N3, CN, CF3(CH2)nO-, (R 9 )OC(0)NR 8 -,CC2 ailkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl and substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; Osseo:R 5 and R~b are independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic, d) unsubstituted or substituted C3 -C 10 cycloalkyl, and e) C I -C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C3-C 10 cycloalkyl, N(R 8 )2, CF3, N02, (R 8 (R 9 (R 8 H2N-C(NII)-, (R 8 (R 8 N3, CN (R 9 )OC(O)NR 8 R 6 is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) aryl, heterocycle, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, Br, R 8 R 9 R 8 C(O)NR 8 CN, N02, R 8 2N-C(NR 8 R 8 R 8 N3, -N(R 8 or R 9 OC(O)NR 8 ,and c) C I -C6 alkyl. unsubstituted or substituted by aryl, heterocycle, C3 -C cycloalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, Br, R 8 R 9 R 8 C(O)NII-, CN, H2N-C(NfI)-, R 8 R 8 N3, -N(R 8 or R 8 OC(O)NI{-; R 7 is selected from: hydrogen, 20 b) C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, Br, R 8 0-' R 9 R 8 C(O)NR 8 CN, N02, (R 8 )2N-C-(NR 8 R 8 R 8 N3, -N(R 8 or R 9 OC(O)NR 8 and c) C1I-C6 ailkyl unsubstituted or substituted by perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, Br, R 8 R 9 R 8 C(O)NR 8 CN, (R 8 )2N-C(NR 8 R 8 R 8 N3, -N(R 8 or R 9 OC(O)b4R 8 R 8 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1I-C6 alkyl, benzyl and aryl; 30 0* R 9 is independently selected from C1I-C6 alkyl and aryl; A 1 I and A 2 are independently selected from: a bond, -CH=CH-, -Cr=C-, -C(O)NR 8 -NR 8 O, -N(R 8 -S(0)2N(R 8 N(R 8 )S(0) 2 or S(O)m; V is selected from: a) hydrogen, b) heterocycle, c) aryl, d) C -C20 alkyl wherein from 0 to 4 carbon atoms are replaced with a a heteroatom selected from 0, S, and N, and e) C2-C20 alkenyl, provided that V is not hydrogen if Al is S(O)m and V is not hydrogen if A 1 is a bond, n is 0 and A 2 is S(0)m; W is a heterocycle; Y is aryl or heteroaryl; m is 0, 1 or 2; nis 0, 1,2, 3 or 4; 20 p is O, 1, 2, 3 or 4; r is 0 to 5, provided that r is 0 when V is hydrogen; and tis 0or 1; provided that when t is 0, V and R 6 are not heterocycle; provided that when t is 1, V is not hydrogen or C 1 -C 3 alkyl and -A (CRa 2 )nA 2 (CR a 2 is not a bond; or an optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

2. A compound which inhibits farnesyl-protein transferase of the formula Ia: (R 6 )r R7 V A (CR )A (C R a)N- I0 R 3 la (CR' NuIk N'-(CR 2)p R R~ wherein: Ri a and R 2 are independently selected from: hydrogen or ClI-C6 alkyl; Rib is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, R 8 -N(R 8 )2 or C2-C6 alkenyl, c) C I -C6 alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, R 8 or -N(R 8 )2; R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from H, F, Cl, Br, N(R 8 CF3, N02, (Ri 8 (R 9 (R 8 H2N-C(NH)-, (R 8 (R 8 N3, CN, (R 9 )OC(O)NR 8 Cl-C20 alkyl, *substituted or unsubstituted. aryl and substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; R 5 a' and R5b are independently selected from: 20 a) hydrogen, :and b) C I-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C3 -C 10 cycloalkyl, N(R 8 )2, CF3, N02, (R 8 (R 9 (R 8 H2N-C(NH)-, (R 8 (R 8 N3, CN (R 9 )OC(O)NR 8 R 6 is independently selected from: 'Nt/VT O a) hydrogen, b) ClI-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, ClI-C6 perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, R 8 R 8 C(O)NR 8 CN, N02, (R 8 )2N-C(NR 8 R 8 R 8 -N(R 8 or R 9 OC(O)NR 8 and c) ClI-C6 alkyl substituted by C 1-C6 perfluoroalkyl, R 8 R 8 C(O)NR 8 (R 8 )2N-C(NR 8 R 8 R 8 -N(R 8 or R 9 OC(O)NR 8 R 7 a is hydrogen or methyl; R 8 is independently selected from hydrogen, C I-C6 alkyl, benzyl and aryl; R 9 is independently selected from ClI-C6 alkyl and aryl; A 1 and A 2 are independently selected from: a bond, -CII=CH-, -CfC-, -C(O)NR 8 0, -N(R 8 or S(O)m; V is phenyl; 20 m is 0, 1or2; n is 0,1, 2, 3or 4; p is 0,1, 2, 3or 4; :r is 0Oto 5; and provided that -A(Rl is not a bond; or an optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

3. A compound which inhibits famesyl-protein transferase of the formula lb: (R 6 )rR7R3 V A' (CRla 2 )nA (CR /tw/ CR 0C22 I 5a I lb R 5 Rb wherein: RI a and R 2 are independently selected from: hydrogen or C I -C6 alkyl; Rib is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, R 8 -N(R 8 )2 or C2-C6 alkenyl, c) C I -C6 alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, R 8 or -(82 R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from H, F, Cl, Br, N(R 8 CF3, N02, (R 8 (R 9 (R 8 H2N-C(NII)-, (R 8 (R 8 N3, CN, (R 9 )OC(0)NR 8 Cl-C20 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted. aryl and substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; R 5 a and R5b are independently selected from: a) hydrogen, and b) C I-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted. or substituted heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C3-C 10 cycloalkyl, N(R 8 )2, 25 CF3, N02, (R 8 (R 9 (R 8 )C(0)NHt-, H2N-C(NII)-, (R 8 (R 8 N3, CN (R 9 )OC(0)NR 8 R 6 is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) C I -C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C I -C6 perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, R 8 R 8 C(O)NR 8 CN, N02, (R 8 )2N-C(NR 8 R 8 R 8 -N(R 8 or R 9 OC(O)NR 8 and c) C1I-C6 alkyl. substituted by C1I-C6 perfluoroalkyl, R 8 R 8 C(O)NR 8 (R 8 )2N-C(NR 8 R 8 R 8 -N(R 8 or R 9 OC(O)NR 8 R 7 is selected from: hydrogen and C1I-C6 alkyl; R 8 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1I-C6 alkyl, benzyl and aryl; R 9 is independently selected from C1-C6 alkyl and aryl; A I and A 2 are independently selected from: a bond, -CH=CH-, -CifC-, -C(O)NR 8 0, -N(R 8 or S(O)m; V is phenyl; *4W is a heterocycle selected from pyrrolidinyl, pyridinyl, thiazolyl, pyridonyl, 2- 20 oxopiperidinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, or isoquinolinyl; m is 0,l1or2; n9 nis 0,1, 2, 3or 4; p pis 0, 1, 2,3 or 4; r is 0Oto 5; and t tis 1; :::provided that -A(R2,A(R2n is not a bond; or an optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

4. A compound which inhibits famesyl-protein transferase of the formiula Ic: H 0 (CR b 2 -iKN -(CR 2 2 )p R 6 R 5 a R 5 b R 4 IC wherein: Rib is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, R 8 -N(R 8 )2 or C2-C6 alkenyl, c) C I -C6 alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, R 8 or -(82 R 2 are independently selected from: hydrogen or C I-C6 alkyl; R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from H, F, Cl, Br, N(R 8 CF3, N02, (R 8 (R 9 (R 8 )C(0)NII-, H2N-C(NH)-, (R 8 (R 8 N3, CN, (R 9 )OC(0)NR 8 C1I-C20 alkyl, 15 substituted or unsubstituted aryl and substituted or unsubstituted *heterocycle; RSa and R5b are independently selected from: a) hydrogen, and b) Ci1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C3-C 10 cycloalkyl, N(R 8 )2, CF3, N02, (R 8 (R 9 (R 8 H2N-C(NH)-, 25 (R 8 (R 8 N3, CN (R 9 )OC(O)NR 8 R 6 is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) C I-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C I-C6 perfluoroalkyl, F, Cl, R 8 R 8 C(O)NR 8 CN, N02, (R 8 )2N-C(NR 8 R 8 R 8 -N(R 8 or R 9 OC(O)NR 8 and c) C1I-C6 alkyl substituted by C1I-C6 perfluoroalkyl, R 8 R 8 C(O)NR 8 (R 8 )2N-C(NR 8 R 8 R 8 -N(R 8 or R 9 OC(O)NR 8 R 8 is independently selected from hydrogen, C I -C6 alkyl, benzyl and aryl; R 9 is independently selected from C1I-C6 alkyl and aryl; mnis 0,l1or 2;and p is 0, 1,2, 3or 4; or an optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compound according to Claim 4 of the formula Id: 9 9 9 9 9 99 9 9 9 9 9 *9 9**999 9 9999 .9

9. 9 9. 99

99.. 99 99 .9 9. 9 99 9 999 9 9 20 wherein: Rib is independently selected from: a) hydrogen, b) aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, R 8 -N(R 8 )2 or C2-C6 alkenyl, c) C I -C6 alkyl unsubstituted. or substituted by aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, R 8 or -N(R 8 )2; 59 R are independently selected from: hydrogen or C I-C 6 alkyl; R 3 and R 4 and independently selected from H, F, Cl, Br, N(R 8 2 CF 3 NO 2 (R 8 (R 9 )S(O)Mg (R 8 H 2 (R 8 (R 8 CN, (R 9 )OC(O)NR 8 C 1 -C 2 o alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl and substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; and e~ are independently selected from: a) hydrogen, and b) C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C 3 -CI 0 cycloalkyl, N(R 8 2 CF 3 NO 2 (R 8 (R 9 (R 8 H 2 N-C(NII)-, (R 8 N 3 CN (R 9 )OC(O)NR 8 R8 i neednl eetdfo yrgn C lybny n rl R9 is independently selected from hydrogenyl and alyl, ezlan r 1 m is 0,l1or 2;and p is 0,1, 2, 3or 4; or an optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 6. A compound which inhibits famesyl-protein transferase which is selected from: N-(3-chlorophenyl)-N'-[ 1-(4-cyanobenzyl)-5-imidazolylmethyl-N-(n-pentyl)urea hydrochloride (1) C CH 3 H NCQO-N N YNa CI NEI N-(3-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[ 1 hydrochloride (8) CH3 Cl 3 Nc-C N Y N Cl N 0 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof {R:\LIBAAj07625.doc.TAB 7. A compound which inhibits famesyl-protein transferase, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. 8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical carrier, and dispersed therein, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. A method for inhibiting farnesyl-protein transferase which method comprises administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 7 or of a composition of claim 8. A method for treating cancer which method comprises administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 7 or of a composition of claim 8. 11. A method for treating neurofibromen benign proliferative disorder which method comprises administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 7 or of a composition of claim 8. 12. A method for treating blindness related to retinal vascularisation which method comprises administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 7 or of a composition of claim 8. 13. A method for treating infections from hepatitis delta and related viruses which method comprises administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 7 or of a composition of claim 8. 14. A method for preventing restenosis which method comprises administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 7 or of a composition of claim 8. V A method for treating polycystic kidney disease which method comprises 25 administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 7 or of a composition of claim 8. 16. Use of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any one of claims 1 0 to 7 or a composition of claim 8 in the manufacture of a medicament for a purpose selected from the group consisting of inhibiting famesyl-protein transferase, treating cancer, treating neurofibromen benign proliferative disorder, treating blindness related to retinal vascularisation, treating infections from hepatitis delta and related viruses, preventing restenosis and treating polycystic kidney disease. {R:LIBAA]07625.doc.TAB 17. A compound of any one of claims I to 7 or a composition of claim 8 when used for a purpose selected from the group consisting of inhibiting famesyl-protein transferase, treating cancer, treating neurofibromen benign proliferative disorder, treating blindness related to retinal vascularisation, treating infections from hepatitis delta and related viruses, preventing restenosis and treating polycystic kidney disease. Dated 15 September, 1999 Merck Co., Inc. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON 0 S V 0 *a 0. 0 9. R 4 sjr Aq- 0A J (RAL1BAA]07625.dOC.TAB