INHIBITORS OF FARNESYL-PROTEIN TRANSFERASE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Ras gene is found activated in many human cancers, including colorectal carcinoma, exocrine pancreatic carcinoma, and myeloid leukemias. Biological and biochemical studies of Ras action indicate that Ras functions like a G-regulatory protein, since Ras must be localized in the plasma membrane and must bind with GTP in order to transform cells (Gibbs, J. et al., Microbiol. Rev. 53:171-286 (1989). Forms of Ras in cancer cells have mutations that distinguish the protein from Ras in normal cells.

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-Aaa*-Aaa*^-Xaa" box (Aaa is an aliphatic amino acid, the Xaa is any amino acid) (Willumsen et al., Nature 370:583-586 (1984)). Other proteins having this motif include the Ras-related GTP- binding proteins such as Rho, fungal mating factors, the nuclear lamins, and the gamma subunit of transducin.

Famesylation of Ras by the isoprenoid famesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) occurs in vivo on Cys to form a thioether linkage (Hancock et al, Cell 57:1167 (1989); Casey et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA £6:8323 (1989)). In addition, Ha-Ras and N-Ras are palmitoylated via formation of a thioester on a Cys residue near a C-terminal Cys famesyl acceptor (Gutierrez et al., EMBO J. 5:1093-1098 (1989); Hancock et al, Cell 57: 1167-1177 (1989)). Ki-Ras lacks the palmitate acceptor Cys. The last 3 amino acids at the Ras C-terminal end are removed proteolytically, and methyl esterifϊcation occurs at the new C- terminus (Hancock et al., ibid). Fungal mating factor and mammalian nuclear lamins undergo identical modification steps (Anderegg et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263:18236 (1988); Farnsworth et al. . Biol. Chem. 264:20422 (1989)).

Inhibition of Ras famesylation 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 and the famesyl pyrophosphate precursor. It has been shown that a famesyl -protein transferase using famesyl pyrophosphate as a precursor is responsible for Ras famesylation. (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); Marine et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 87:7541-7545 (1990)).

Inhibition of farnesyl-protein transferase and, thereby, of famesylation of the Ras protein, blocks the ability of Ras to transform normal cells to cancer cells. The compounds of the invention inhibit Ras famesylation and, thereby, generate soluble Ras which, as indicated infra, can act as a dominant negative inhibitor of Ras function. While soluble Ras in cancer cells can become a dominant negative inhibitor, soluble Ras in normal cells would not be an inhibitor.

A cytosol-localized (no Cys-Aaa^-Aaa^-Xaa box membrane domain present) and activated (impaired GTPase activity, staying bound to GTP) form of Ras acts as a dominant negative Ras inhibitor of membrane-bound Ras function (Gibbs et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:6630-6634(1989)). Cytosollocalized forms of Ras with normal GTPase activity do not act as inhibitors. Gibbs et al., ibid, showed this effect in Xenopus oocytes and in mammalian cells.

Administration of compounds of the invention to block Ras famesylation not only decreases the amount of Ras in the membrane but also generates a cytosolic pool of Ras. In tumor cells having activated Ras, the cytosolic pool acts as another antagonist of membrane-bound Ras function. In normal cells having normal Ras, the cytosolic pool of Ras does not act as an antagonist. In the absence of complete inhibition of famesylation, other famesylated proteins are able to continue with their functions.

Farnesyl-protein transferase activity may be reduced or completely inhibited by adjusting the compound dose. Reduction of famesyl-protein transferase enzyme activity by adjusting the compound dose would be useful for avoiding possible undesirable side effects resulting from interference with other metabolic processes which utilize the enzyme.

These compounds and their analogs are inhibitors of famesyl-protein transferase. Famesyl-protein transferase utilizes famesyl pyrophosphate to covalently modify the Cys thiol group of the Ras CAAX box with a famesyl group. Inhibition of famesyl pyrophosphate biosynthesis by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase blocks Ras membrane localization in vivo and inhibits Ras function. Inhibition of famesyl- protein transferase is more specific and is attended by fewer side effects than is the case for a general inhibitor of isoprene biosynthesis.

Previously, it has been demonstrated that tetrapeptides containing cysteine as an amino terminal residue with the CAAX sequence inhibit Ras famesylation (Schaber et al., ibid; Reiss et. al., ibid; Reiss et al., PNAS, 88:732-736 (1991)). Such inhibitors may inhibit while serving as alternate substrates for the Ras farnesyl-transferase enzyme, or may be purely competitive inhibitors (U.S. Patent 5,141 ,851 , University of Texas).

It has also been demonstrated that certain inhibitors of famesyl-protein transferase selectively block the processing of Ras oncoprotein intracellularly (N.E. 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 famesyl- protein transferase blocks the growth of rαs-dependent tumors in nude mice (N.E. Kohl et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci U.SΛ., 97:9141 -9145 (1994) .

Inhibitors of Ras famesyl-protein transferase (FPTase) have been described in two general classes. The first are analogs of famesyl diphosphate (FPP), while the second class of inhibitors is related to the protein substrate for the enzyme, Ras. Almost all of the peptide derived inhibitors that have been described are cysteine

containing molecules that are related to the CAAX motif that is the signal for protein prenylation. The exception to this generalization is a class of natural products known as the pepticinnamins (Omura, et al., J. Antibiotics 46:222 (1993). In general, deletion of the thiol from a CAAX derivative dramatically reduces the inhibitory potency of these compounds. 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. With the exception of the pepticinnamins, non-thiol FPTase inhibitors that are competitive with the Ras substrate have not been described and are the subject of this invention.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to develop tetrapeptide-based compounds which do not have a thiol moiety, and which will inhibit famesyl transferase and the post-translational functionalization of the oncogene Ras protein. It is a further object of this invention to develop 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 analogs of the CAAX motif of the protein Ras that is modified by famesylation in vivo. These CAAX analogs inhibit the famesylation of Ras. Furthermore, these CAAX analogues differ from those previously described as inhibitors of Ras famesyl transferase in that they do not have a thiol moiety. The lack of the thiol offers 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 famesyl transferase inhibitors and methods for their production.

The compounds of this invention are illustrated by the formulae:

and

pβa

IV

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compounds of this invention inhibit the famesylation of Ras. In a first embodiment of this invention, the Ras famesyl transferase inhibitors are illustrated by the formula I:

,

wherein:

Rl is hydrogen, Cl-C6 alkyl or aryl;

R2a and R2b are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ϋ) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O) _m -, R9C(0)NR9-, CN, (R9)2N- C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R90C(0K N3, -N(R9)2,

Rl θC(0)NR9- and C1-C20 alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- C 10 cycloalkyl; or

R2a and R2b are combined to form - (CH2)s - ;

R3 and R4 are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid,

b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O)m-, R9C(0)NR9-, CN, (R9) ₂ N- C(NR9)., R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9) ₂ , Rl0θC(O)NR9- and C1-C20 alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- Cio cycloalkyl; or

R3 and R4 are combined to form - (CH2)s - ;

R5a and R5b are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C2O alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O)m-, R9C(0)NR9., CN, (R9) ₂ N-

C(NR9)., R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9) ₂ , Rl0θC(O)NR9- and Cl-C ₂ 0 alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- ClO cycloalkyl; or

R5a and R5b are combined to form - (CH ₂ )s - wherein one of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by a moiety selected from: O, S(0) _m , -NC(O)-, and -N(COR9)- ;

X-Y is

(O)m d)

f) -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - ;

R7a is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, and e) C l -C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl;

R7b is selected from

a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, f) a carbonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, and g) a sulfonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl;

R8a and R8b are independently selected from: hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, N0 ₂ , R ^{1 l} O-, R ¹⁰ S(O)m-, CN, R9C(0)NR9_, (R9) ₂ N-C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9) ₂ , R10OC(O)NR9-, C1-Q20 alkyl, aryl, heterocycle or Ci-C ₂ 0 alkyl substituted with aryl or heterocycle;

R9 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;

R-IO is independently selected from C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;

R! 1 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and aryl, provided Rl 1 is C1-C6 alkyl when n is 0;

Rl2 is independently hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl;

is aryl or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl;

Z is independently H ₂ or O;

m is 0, 1 or 2; n is independently 0 to 4; p is 0 or 1 ; and s is 4 or 5;

or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In a second embodiment of this invention the prodrugs of compounds of formula I are illustrated by the formula II:

wherein:

Rl is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or aryl;

R2a and R2b are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted Cι-C ₂ 0 alkyl, C -C o alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group,

wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, RlOs(0)m-, R9C(0)NR9-, CN, (R9) ₂ N- C(NR9)., R9C(0)-, R9oC(0)-, N3, -N(R9) ₂ , R1 OC(O)NR9- and C1-Q20 alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3-C10 cycloalkyl; or

R2a and R2b are combined to form - (CH2)s - ;

R - and R4 A are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0s(O)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR9-, CN, (R9) ₂ N- C(NR9 , R9c(0)-, R90C(0)-, N3, -N(R9)2,

R10OC(O)NR9- and Cl-Qo alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- CiO cycloalkyl; or

R3 and R4 are combined to form - (CH2)s - ;

R5a and R5b are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone,

c) substituted or unsubstituted -C20 alkyl, C ₂ -C20 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR9-, CN, (R9)_^I- C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9) _2Ϊ Rl0θC(O)NR9- and Cι-C 0 alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- C 10 cycloalkyl; or

R5a and R5b are combined to form - (CH )s - wherein one of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by a moiety selected from: O, S(0)m, -NC(O)-, and -N(COR9)- ;

^{R6 iS} a) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C8 alkyl, wherein the substituent on the alkyl is selected from:

D aryl,

2) heterocycle,

3) -N(Rl ) ₂ ,

4) -OR9, or

X-Y is

(0)m d)

f) -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - ;

R7a is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, and e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl;

R7b i selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl,

e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, f) a carbonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, and g) a sulfonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl;

R8a and R8b are independently selected from: hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, N0 ₂ , Rl *0-, Rl0S(O)m-, CN, R9C(0)NR9-, (R9) N-C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9) ₂ , R10OC(O)NR9-, C1-C20 alkyl, aryl, heterocycle or Ci-C ₂ 0 alkyl substituted with aryl or heterocycle;

R9 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;

RlO is independently selected from C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;

Rl 1 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and aryl, provided Rl Ms C1-C6 alkyl when n is 0;

R!2 i _s independently hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl;

Rl3 is C1-C6 alkyl;

is aryl or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl;

Z is independently H2 or O;

m is 0, 1 or 2; n is independently 0 to 4; p is 0 or 1 ; and s is 4 or 5;

or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In a third embodiment of this invention, the inhibitors of farnesy] transferase are illustrated by the formula III:

wherein:

Rl is hydrogen, Cl -C6 alkyl or aryl;

R2a and R2b are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted Cι-C 0 alkyl, C ₂ -C 0 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N0 ₂ , R9θ-, Rl0S(O)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR9-, CN, (R9) ₂ N- C(NR9)., R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9) ₂ , Rl0θC(O)NR9- and Cl -C ₂ 0 alkyl, and

d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3-C10 cycloalkyl; or

R2a and R2b are combined to form - (CH2)s - ;

R4 are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C2O alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O)m-, R C(0)NR9-, CN, (R9) N- C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9)2, R!0OC(O)NR9- and Ci-Q_o alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3-C10 cycloalkyl; or

R3 and R4 are combined to form - (CH ₂ )s - ;

X-Y

(0) _m d)

H e) or

H f) -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - ;

R7a is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, and e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl;

R7b is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl,

e) Cl-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, f) a carbonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and Cl-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, and g) a sulfonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and Cl-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl;

R8a and R8b are independently selected from: hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, N0 , Rl lθ-, Rl0S(O)m-, CN,

R9C(0)NR9_, (R9) ₂ N-C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R90C(0)-, N3, -N(R9) ₂ , R!0OC(O)NR9-, Cl-Qo alkyl, aryl, heterocycle or Cl-C ₂ 0 alkyl substituted with aryl or heterocycle;

R9 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;

RlO is independently selected from Cl-C6 alkyl and aryl;

Rl 1 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C alkyl and aryl, provided R 1 is C1-C6 alkyl when n is 0;

R 2 is independently hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl;

is aryl or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl;

Z is independently H2 or O;

m is 0, 1 or 2; n is independently 0 to 4; p is 0 or 1 ; q is 0, 1 or 2; and s is 4 or 5;

or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In a fourth embodiment of this invention the prodmgs of compounds of formula HI are illustrated by the formula IV:

IV

wherein:

Rl is hydrogen, Cl-C6 alkyl or aryl;

R2a and R2b are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted C l -C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR9-, CN, (R ⁹ )2N-

C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R90C(0)-, N3, -N(R9) ₂ , R 10OC(O)NR9- and Ci-C ₂ o alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- ClO cycloalkyl; or

R2a and R2b are combined to form - (CH ₂ ) _S - ;

R4 are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted Cι-C ₂ o alkyl, C -C ₂ 0 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N0 ₂ , R90-, Rl0S(O)m-, R9C(0)NR9-, CN, (R9) N- C(NR9 , R9c(0)-, R90C(0)-, N3, -N(R9) _2J R!0OC(O)NR9- and Cι-C ₂ 0 alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- ClO cycloalkyl; or

R3 and R4 are combined to form - (CH )s - ;

X-Y is

>7a a)

c) Y^

(0) _m d)

f) -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - ;

R7a is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, and e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl;

R7b is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle,

d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, e) Cl-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, f) a carbonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, and g) a sulfonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and Cl-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl;

R8a and R8b are independently selected from: hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, Nθ2, R ¹ !θ-, Rl0S(O)m-, CN, R9C(0)NR9-, (R9) ₂ N-C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9) ₂ , R10OC(O)NR9-, Q-QO alkyl, aryl, heterocycle or Cl-C ₂ 0 alkyl substituted with aryl or heterocycle;

R9 is independently selected from hydrogen, Cl-C6 alkyl and aryl;

RlO is independently selected from C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;

Rl 1 is independently selected from hydrogen, Cl-C6 alkyl and aryl, provided Rl 1 is Cl-C6 alkyl when n is 0;

Rl2 is independently hydrogen or -C6 alkyl;

is aryl or 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl;

Z is independently H ₂ or O;

m is 0, 1 or 2; n is independently 0 to 4; p is O or 1; q is 0, 1 or 2; and s is 4 or 5;

or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the Ras famesyl transferase inhibitors are illustrated by the formula I:

wherein: Rl is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or aryl;

R2a is selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, wherein the amino acid is selected from alanine, leucine, isoleucine and valine; b) substituted or unsubstituted Cl-Cio alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclic group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, Nθ2, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O) _m -, R9C(0)NR9-, CN, (R9)^- C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9)2, Rl0θC(O)NR ⁹ - and Cl-C Q alkyl, and

c) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- ClO cycloalkyl; or

R2b is hydrogen or Cl -C6 alkyl; or

R2a and R2b are combined to form - (CH ₂ )s - ;

R3 and R4 are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted Cl -Cio alkyl, C ₂ -Cl0 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N0 ₂ , R9θ-, RlOS(0)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR9-, CN, (R ⁹ )2N- C(NR9)-, R9c(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R ⁹ ) ₂ , Rl0θC(O)NR ⁹ - and C1-C20 alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- Cio cycloalkyl;

R5a is selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, wherein the amino acid is selected from methionine and glutamine, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl, Cl-C ₂ 0 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group,

wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR9-, CN, (R9) ₂ N- C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9) , R!0OC(O)NR9_ and Ci- o alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- ClO cycloalkyl;

R5b is selected from: a) hydrogen, and b) Cl-C3 alkyl; or

X-Y is

e) -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - ;

R7a is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, and

e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl; wherein heterocycle is selected from pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, thiazolyl, pyridonyl, 2- oxopiperidinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and thienyl;

R7b is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, f) a carbonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, and g) a sulfonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl; wherein heterocycle is selected from pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, thiazolyl, pyridonyl, 2- oxopiperidinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and thienyl;

R8a and R8b are independently selected from: hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, Nθ2, R ^l O-, Rl0S(O) _m -, CN, R9C(0)NR9-, (R9) ₂ N-C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R9QC(0)-,

N3, -N(R9)2, Rl θC(O)NR ⁹ -, C1-C20 alkyl, aryl, heterocycle or C1-C2O alkyl substituted with aryl or heterocycle;

R ⁹ is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;

RlO is independently selected from -C6 alkyl and aryl;

Rl 1 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and aryl, provided Rl 1 is C1-C6 alkyl when n is 0;

Rl2 is independently hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl;

is aryl or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl;

Z is independently H2 or O;

m is 0, 1 or 2; n is independently 0 to 4; p is 0 or 1 ; and s is 4 or 5;

or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In a second more preferred embodiment of the invention, the prodmgs of the preferred compounds of the formula I are illustrated by the formula II:

II

wherein:

R 1 is hydrogen, C l -C alkyl or aryl;

R2a is selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, wherein the amino acid is selected from alanine, leucine, isoleucine and valine; and b) substituted or unsubstituted Ci-CiO alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocychc group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N0 ₂ , R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR ⁹ -, CN, (R ⁹ ) N- C(NR ⁹ )-, R ⁹ C(0)-, R ⁹ OC(0)-, N3, -N(R ⁹ ) ₂ , Rl θC(O)NR ⁹ - and Ci-C ₂ 0 alkyl, and c) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- C10 cycloalkyl; and

R2b is hydrogen or C 1 -C6 alkyl; or

R2a and R2b are combined to form - (CH ₂ ) _S - ;

R3 and R4 are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl, C ₂ -Clθ alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, Nθ2, R ⁹ 0-, Rl S(O)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR ⁹ -, CN, (R )2N-

C(NR ⁹ )-, R ⁹ C(OK R ⁹ OC(0)-, N3, -N(R ⁹ ) , Rl0OC(O)NR ⁹ - and Ci-C ₂ 0 alkyl, and

d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- ClO cycloalkyl;

R5a is selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, wherein the amino acid is selected from methionine and glutamine, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl, Cl-C ₂ 0 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N0 , R ⁹ 0-, Rl S(0)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR ⁹ -, CN, (R ⁹ )^- C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9) ₂ , R10OC(O)NR9- and Cl-Qo alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- ClO cycloalkyl;

R5b is selected from: a) hydrogen, and b) Cl-C3 alkyl; or

R6 i is a) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C8 alkyl, wherein the substituent on the alkyl is selected from: l) aryl,

2) heterocycle,

3) -N(Rl0) ₂ ,

4) -OR9, or

X-Y is

e) -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - ;

R7a is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, and e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl; wherein heterocycle is selected from pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, thiazolyl, pyridonyl, 2- oxopiperidinyl. indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and thienyl;

R7b is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, f) a carbonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and Cl-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, and g) a sulfonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and Cl-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl; wherein heterocycle is selected from pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, thiazolyl, pyridonyl, 2- oxopiperidinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and thienyl;

R8a and R8b are independently selected from: hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, Nθ2, R ¹ lθ-, Rl0S(O)m-, CN,

R ⁹ C(0)NR ⁹ -, (R ⁹ )2N-C(NR ⁹ )-, R ⁹ C(0)-, R ⁹ OC(0)-, N3, -N(R ⁹ )2, Rl°OC(0)NR ⁹ -, C1-C20 alkyl, aryl, heterocycle or Cl -C20 alkyl substituted with aryl or heterocycle;

R ⁹ is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;

RlO is independently selected from C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;

Rl 1 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and aryl, provided Rl 1 is Cl-C6 alkyl when n is 0;

Rl2 is independently hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl;

Rl3 is C1-C6 alkyl;

is aryl or 1,2,3 ,4-tetrahydronaphthyl;

Z is independently H2 or O;

m is 0, 1 or 2; n is independently 0 to 4; p is O or l; and s is 4 or 5;

or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In a third more preferred embodiment of the invention, the inhibitors of famesyl-protein transferase are illustrated by the formula H:

III R 1 is hydrogen, C l -C6 alkyl or aryl;

R2a is selected from:

a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, wherein the amino acid is selected from alanine, leucine, isoleucine and valine; b) substituted or unsubstituted Cι-Clθ alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocychc group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O)πι-, R ⁹ C(0)NR ⁹ -, CN, (R ⁹ ) ₂ N- C(NR ⁹ )-, R ⁹ C(0)-, R ⁹ OC(0)-, N3, -N(R ⁹ )2, Rl0θC(O)NR ⁹ - and Ci-C o alkyl, and c) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- ClO cycloalkyl; and

R2b is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; or

R2a and R2b are combined to form - (CH2)s - ;

R3 and R4 are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR ⁹ -, CN, (R ⁹ )2N- C(NR ⁹ )-, R ⁹ C(0)-, R ⁹ OC(0)-, N3, -N(R ⁹ )2, Rl0θC(O)NR ⁹ - and Cl-C20 alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- Cio cycloalkyl;

X-Y is

b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, and e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl; wherein heterocycle is selected from pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, thiazolyl, pyridonyl, 2- oxopiperidinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and thienyl;

R7b is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle,

d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, e) Cl-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, f) a carbonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, and

10 g) a sulfonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl;

15 wherein heterocycle is selected from pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, thiazolyl, pyridonyl, 2- oxopiperidinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and thienyl;

R a and R8b are independently selected from: hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, Nθ2, R ^l O-, Rl°S(0)m-, CN, R ⁹ C(0)NR ⁹ -, (R )2N-C(NR ⁹ )-, R ⁹ C(0)-, R ⁹ OC(0)-, N3, -N(R ⁹ ) ₂ , Rl θC(O)NR ⁹ -, Cl-QO alkyl, aryl, heterocycle or Ci-C 0 alkyl substituted with aryl or

__• J heterocycle;

R ⁹ is independently selected from hydrogen, Cl-C6 alkyl and aryl;

RlO is independently selected from -C6 alkyl and aryl;

30

Rl 1 is independently selected from hydrogen, Cl-C6 alkyl and aryl, provided Rl is Cl-C6 alkyl when n is 0;

Rl2 is independently hydrogen or -C6 alkyl;

is aryl or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl;

Z is independently H2 or O;

m is 0, 1 or 2; n is independently 0 to 4; p is O or 1; q is 0, 1 or 2; and s is 4 or 5;

or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In a fourth more preferred embodiment of the invention, the prodmgs of the preferred compounds of formula HI are illustrated by the formula IV:

IV

wherein:

R 1 is hydrogen, C 1 -C6 alkyl or aryl;

R2a is selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, wherein the amino acid is selected from alanine, leucine, isoleucine and v aline; b) substituted or unsubstituted Ci-Cio alkyl, C ₂ -Ciθ alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocychc group,

wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR ⁹ -, CN, (R ⁹ )2N- C(NR ⁹ )-, R ⁹ C(0)-, R ⁹ OC(0)-, N3, -N(R ⁹ )2, Rl0θC(O)NR ⁹ - and C1-C20 alkyl, and c) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- ClO cycloalkyl; and

R2b is hydrogen or Cl -C6 alkyl; or

R2a and R2b are combined to form - (CH ) _S - ;

R3 and R4 are independently selected from: a) a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid, b) an oxidized form of a side chain of a naturally occurring amino acid which is: i) methionine sulfoxide, or ii) methionine sulfone, c) substituted or unsubstituted Cl-Cio alkyl, C -Clθ alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocycle group, wherein the substituent is selected from F, Cl, Br, N02, R ⁹ 0-, Rl0S(O)m-, R ⁹ C(0)NR ⁹ -, CN, (R ⁹ )2N- C(NR ⁹ )-, R ⁹ C(0)-, R ⁹ OC(0)-, N3, -N(R ⁹ )2, Rl0θC(O)NR ⁹ - and C1-Q20 alkyl, and d) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and C3- ClO cycloalkyl;

X-Y is

>7b b) Y _v Nj,

C) Y^

e) -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - ;

R7a is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, and e) Cl-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl; wherein heterocycle is selected from pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, thiazolyl, pyridonyl, 2- oxopiperidinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and thienyl;

R7b is selected from a) hydrogen, b) unsubstituted or substituted aryl, c) unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle,

d) unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, e) C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, f) a carbonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and Cl-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl, and g) a sulfonyl group which is bonded to an unsubstituted or

10 substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl and C1-C6 alkyl substituted with hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted group selected from aryl, heterocycle and cycloalkyl; wherein heterocycle is selected from pyrrolidinyl,

15 imidazolyl, pyridinyl, thiazolyl, pyridonyl, 2- oxopiperidinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and thienyl;

R8a and R8b are independently selected from: ²⁰ hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, Nθ2, R ^{1 l} O-, Rl0S(O)m-, CN,

R9C(0)NR9-, (R9)2N-C(NR9)-, R9C(0)-, R9θC(0)-, N3, -N(R9) ₂ , R10OC(O)NR9-, Ci-Qo alkyl, aryl, heterocycle or Ci-C ₂ 0 alkyl substituted with aryl or heterocycle;

R is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;

RlO is independently selected from C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;

"5 fl

Rl 1 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and aryl, provided Rl 1 is C1-C6 alkyl when n is 0;

Rl2 is independently hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl;

is aryl or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl;

Z is independently H2 or O;

m is 0, 1 or 2; n is independently 0 to 4; p is 0 or 1 ; q is 0, 1 or 2; and s is 4 or 5;

or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

The following compounds illustrate the preferred compounds of this invention:

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)butanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 • naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[5-phenylpentanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[4-phenylbenzoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[5-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)pentanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl }■ N-(l-naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[4-nitrobenzoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[3-(3-indolyl)propanoylamino } -3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[3-( 1 -indolyl)propanoylamino } -3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxobutanoylamino]-4- methylpentyl}-N-(l-naphthylmethyl-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)- { 2-(l ,2,3,4-tetrahydro)naphthoylamino } -4-methylpentyl } -N- (l-naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[ 1 -( 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydro)naphthoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N- (1-naphthylmethyl-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butanoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 ■ naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N-{2(S)-[4-(4-aminophenyl)butanoylamino]-4-methylpentyl}- N-(l- naphthylmethy -glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[2-benzylbenzoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[(2-benzoylphenyl)acetylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[(2-benzylphenyl)acetylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[(4-benzylphenyl)acetylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[(3-benzoylphenyl)acetylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 ■ naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)butanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine.

N- { 2(S)-[5-phenylpentanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[4-phenylbenzoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[5-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)pentanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } ■ N-( 1 -naphthylmethy l)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[4-nitrobenzoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[3-(3-indolyl)propanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[3-( 1 -indolyl)propanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxobutanoylamino]-4- methylpentyl } -N-( 1 -naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[2-( 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydro)naphthoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N- (1 -naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[ 1 -( 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydro)naphthoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N- ( 1 -naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)butanoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-gly cyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butanoylamino] -4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 ■ naphthylmethy -glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[(3-benzoylphenyl)acetylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-aminophenyl)butanoylamino] -4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 ■ naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[2-benzylbenzoylamino] -4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[(2-benzoylphenyl)acetylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[(2-benzylphenyl)acetylamino] -4-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[(4-benzylphenyl)acety lamino] -4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

The most preferred compounds of the invention are:

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)butanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 • naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)butanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 ■ naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[5-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)pentanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N- ( 1 -naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

N- { 2(S)-[5-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)pentanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N- (l-naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In the present invention, the amino acids which are disclosed are identified both by conventional 3 letter and single letter abbreviations as indicated below:

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.

As used herein, "alkyl" is intended to include both branched and straight-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbon atoms.

As used herein, "cycloalkyl" is intended to include non- aromatic cyclic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like.

"Alkenyl" groups include those groups having the specified number of carbon atoms and having one or several double bonds. Examples of alkenyl groups include vinyl, allyl, isopropenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-butenyl, 2-methyl-2- butenyl, famesyl, geranyl, geranylgeranyl and the like.

As used herein, "aryl" is intended to include any stable monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic carbon ring(s) of up to 7 members in each ring, wherein at least one ring is aromatic. Examples of aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, biphenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, phenanthrenyl and the like.

The term heterocycle or heterocychc, as used herein, represents a stable 5- to 7-membered monocyclic or stable 8- to 11- membered bicyclic or stable 11-15 membered tricyclic heterocychc 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, O, and S, and including any bicyclic group in which any of the above-defined heterocychc rings is fused to a benzene ring. The heterocychc ring may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in the creation of a stable stmcture. Examples of such heterocychc elements include, but are not limited to, azepinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzofurazanyl, benzopyranyl, benzothiopyranyl, benzofuryl, benzothiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, chromanyl, cinnolinyl, dihydrobenzofuryl, dihydro-benzothienyl, dihydrobenzothiopyranyl, dihydrobenzothio-pyranyl sulfone, furyl, imidazohdinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolyl, indolinyl, indolyl, isochromanyl, isoindolinyl,

isoquinolinyl, isothiazolidinyl, isothiazolyl, isothiazolidinyl, morpholinyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, 2-oxoazepinyl, 2- oxopiperazinyl, 2-oxopiperidinyl, 2-oxopyrrolidinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, pyridyl, pyridyl N-oxide, pyridonyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinolinyl N-oxide, quinoxalinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydro-quinolinyl, thiamo holinyl, thiamorpholinyl sulfoxide, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, thienofuryl, thienothienyl, and thienyl.

As used herein, the terms "substituted aryl", "substituted heterocycle" and "substituted cycloalkyl" are intended to include the cyclic group which is substituted with 1 or 2 substitutents selected from the group which includes but is not limited to F, Cl, Br, CF3, NH2, N(Cl-C6 alkyl)2, Nθ2, CN, (C1-C6 alkyl)0-, -OH, (C1-C6 alkyl)S(0) _m -, (C1-C6 alkyl)C(0)NH-, H2N-C(NH)-, (Cl-Cό alkyl)C(O)-, (C1-C6 alkyl)OC(O)-, N3,(Ci-C6 alkyl)OC(0)NH- and C1-C20 alkyl.

When R2a and R2b and R and R4 are combined to form - (CH2)s -, cyclic moieties are formed. Examples of such cyclic moieties include, but are not limited to:

When R ^5a and R5 are combined to forni - (CH2)s -, cyclic moieties as described hereinabove for R2a and R2b and R3 and R4 are formed. In addition, such cyclic moieties may optionally include a heteroatom(s). Examples of such heteroatom-containing cyclic moieties include, but are not limited to:

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include the conventional non-toxic salts of the compounds of this invention as formed, e.g., 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, phenyl-acetic, 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 (e.g., R 1 , Z, n, etc.) at a particular location in a molecule be independent of its definitions elsewhere in that molecule. Thus, -N(Rl)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.

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 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.

The compounds of the invention can be synthesized from their constituent amino acids by conventional peptide synthesis techniques, and the additional methods described below. Standard methods of peptide synthesis are disclosed, for example, in the following works: Schroeder et al., "The Peptides", Vol. 1, Academic Press 1965, or Bodanszky et al., "Peptide Synthesis", Interscience Publishers, 1966, or McOmie (ed.) "Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry", Plenum Press, 1973, or Barany et al., "The Peptides: Analysis, Synthesis, Biology" 2, Chapter 1, Academic Press, 1980, or Stewart et al., "Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis", Second Edition, Pierce Chemical Company, 1984. The teachings of these works are hereby incorporated by reference.

Abbreviations used in the description of the chemistry and in the Examples that follow are:

MCPBA m-Chloroperoxybenzoic acid;

MsCl Methanesulfonyl chloride;

NaHMDS Sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide;

Py Pyridine;

TFA Trifluoroacetic acid;

THF Tetrahydrofuran.

Compounds of this invention are prepared by employing the reactions shown in the following Reaction Schemes A-J, 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. Some key bond- forming and peptide modifying reactions are:

Reaction A. Amide bond formation and protecting group cleavage using standard solution or solid phase methodologies.

Reaction B. Preparation of a reduced peptide subunit by reductive alkylation of an amine by an aldehyde using sodium cyanoborohydride or other reducing agents.

Reaction C. Alkylation of a reduced peptide subunit with an alkyl or aralkyl halide or, alternatively, reductive alkylation of a reduced peptide subunit with an aldehyde using sodium cyanoborohydride or other reducing agents.

Reaction D. Peptide bond formation and protecting group cleavage using standard solution or solid phase methodologies.

Reaction E. Preparation of a reduced subunit by borane reduction of the amide moiety.

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 Reaction Schemes.

REACΉON SCHEME A

Reaction A. Coupling of residues to form an amide bond

REACΉON SCHEME B

Reaction B. Preparation of reduced peptide subunits by reductive alkylation

NaCNBH ₃

REACΉON SCHEME C

Reaction C. Alkylation/reductive alkylation of reduced peptide subunits

R ^C CH, NaCNBH-

REACΉON SCHEME D

Reaction P. Coupling of residues to form an amide bond

REACTION SCHEME E

Reaction E. Preparation of reduced dipeptides from peptides

where RA and RB are R2a, R2b, R3, R4, R5a or R5b as previously defined; XL is a leaving group, e.g., Br-, I- or MsO-; and RC is defined such that R7b is generated by the reductive alkylation process.

Certain compounds of this invention wherein X- Y is an ethenylene or ethylene unit are prepared by employing the reaction sequences shown in Reaction Schemes F and G. Reaction Scheme F outlines the preparation of the alkene isosteres utilizing standard manipulations such as Weinreb amide formation, Grignard reaction, acetylation, ozonolysis, Wittig reaction, ester hydrolysis, peptide coupling reaction, mesylation, cleavage of peptide protecting groups, reductive alkylation, etc., as may be known in the literature or exemplified in the Experimental Procedure. The key reactions are: stereoselective reduction of the Boc-amino-enone to the corresponding syn amino-alcohol (Scheme F, Step B, Part 1), and stereospecific boron triflouride or zinc chloride activated organo-magnesio, organo- lithio, or organo-zinc copper(l) cyanide SN2' displacement reaction (Scheme F, Step G). Through the use of optically pure N-Boc amino acids as starting material and these two key reactions, the stereo¬ chemistry of the final products is well defined. In Step H of Scheme F, the amino terminus substituent R* is incorporated using coupling

reaction A and RxCOOH; the alkylation reaction C using RxCHO and a reducing agent; or alkylation reaction C using RxCH2XL.

The alkane analogs are prepared in a similar manner by including an additional catalytic hydrogenation step as outlined in Reaction Scheme G.

REACTION SCHEME F

Step A

Step B

REACΗON SCHEME F (CONT'D^

BocNH R ³ MgCuCNCIBF ₃

StepG

1.HCI

2. NaCNBH ₃ R ^x CHO

StepH

REACΗON SCHEME F (CONT'D

NaOH

or

10

1. HCI Alternate StepH

O II 2. R COH

EDC, HOBT

15

30

REACΗON SCHEME G

BOCN _H

REACΗON SCHEME G (CONT'D)

15 1. HCI

2. NaCNBH ₃ ,

R ^x CHO

30

REACΗON SCHEME G (CONT'D) or

1. HCI 2. R ^x COH EDC, HOBT

NaOH

The oxa isostere compounds of this invention are prepared according to the route outlined in Scheme H. An aminoalcohol 1 is acylated with alpha-chloroacetyl chloride in the presence of trialkylamines to yield amide 2. Subsequent reaction of 2 with a deprotonation reagent (e.g., sodium hydride or potassium t-butoxide) in an ethereal solvent such as THF provides morpholinone . The N- Boc derivative 4 is then obtained by the treatment of 3 _. with BOC anhydride and DMAP (4-dimethylaminopyridine) in methylene chloride. Alkylation of 4 with R3χ , where XL is a leaving group such as Br, I- or Cl- in THF/DME (1,2-dimethoxyethane) in the presence of a suitable base, preferably NaHMDS [sodium bis(tr_methylsilyl)amide], affords _,, which is retreated with NaHMDS followed by either protonation or the addition of an alkyl halide R4χ

to give __a or ___>, respectively. Alternatively, ξ_\ can be prepared from 4 via an aldol condensation approach. Namely, deprotonation of 4 with NaHMDS followed by the addition of a carbonyl compound RyRzCO gives the adduct 7. Dehydration of 7 can be effected by mesylation and subsequent elimination catalyzed by DBU (1,8- diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene) or the direct treatment of 7 with phosphorus oxychloride in pyridine to give olefin 8. Then, catalytic hydrogenation of 8 yields __a. Direct hydrolysis of __ with lithium hydrogen peroxide in aqueous THF will produce acid 9b. Sometimes, it is more efficient to carry out this conversion via a 2-step sequence, namely, hydrolysis of 6 in hydrochloric acid to afford 9a, which is then derivatized with BOC-ON or BOC anhydride to give 9b. The peptide coupling of acid 9b with either an alpha-aminolactone (e.g., homoserine lactone, etc.) or the ester of an amino acid is carried out under the conditions exemplified in the previously described references to yield derivative JL . Treatment of JO with gaseous hydrogen chloride gives JJL, which undergoes reductive alkylation in the presence of an aldehyde RxCHO (12) and a reducing agent (e.g., sodium cyanoboro-hydride); or acylation in the presence of RxCOOH (13) and a peptide coupling reagent affording the products 14a and _). It is understood that RxCHO and RxCOOH reagents are readily available commercially or may be readily prepared by techniqes well known in the art from commercially available starting materials. Hydrolysis of compounds J_4 to the corresponding hydroxy acids and acids, respectively, is accomplished by standard methods such as treatment with NaOH in alcoholic or aqueous milieux followed by careful acidif cation with dilute HC1.

SCHEME H

4

Z __

SCHEME H (CONT'D)

a, R ^W =H b, R ^w = BOC

10.

II

SCHEME H (CONT'D)

A =

The thia, oxothia and dioxothia isostere compounds of this invention are prepared in accordance to the route depicted in Scheme I. Aminoalcohol I is derivatized with BOC20 to give __,. Mesylation of I_5 followed by reaction with methyl alpha- mercaptoacetate in the presence of cesium carbonate gives sulfide 16. Removal of the BOC group in ___> with TFA followed by neutralization with di-isopropylethylamine leads to lactam J_Z. N-BOC derivative J_8 is obtained via the reaction of J with BOC anhydride in THF catalyzed by DMAP. Sequential alkylation of j_8 with the alkyl halides R3χ and R4χ in THF/DME using NaHDMS as the deprotonation reagent produces J_9. Hydrolysis of j_9 in hydro-chloride to yield 20a. which is derivatized with Boc anhydride to yield 20b. The coupling of 20b with an alpha-aminolactone (e.g., homoserine lactone, etc.) or the

ester of an amino acid is carried out under conventional conditions as exemplified in the previously described references to afford 21. Sulfide 2i is readily oxidized to sulfone 22 by the use of MCPB A (m- chloroperoxybenzoic acid). The N-BOC group of either 21 or 22 is readily removed by treatment with gaseous hydrogen chloride. The resultant amine hydrochloride 23 undergoes reductive alkylation in the presence of an aldehyde RlCHO (12) and a reducing agent (e.g., sodium cyanoborohydride); or acylation in the presence of RlCOOH (13) and a peptide coupling reagent to afford the products 24 and 25.

SCHEME I

15

BOCoO

-"_δ* IS

__Q 2i

SCHEME I (CONT'D)

BOCNH

m=0, 2__ ^ ^MCPBA m=2, 22

___> NaCNBH ₃ 24 m = 0 or 2

R ^x COOH EDC, HOBT

5

The compounds of this invention inhibit Ras famesyl transferase which catalyzes the first step in the post-translational processing of Ras and the biosynthesis of functional Ras protein. These 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, and myeloid leukemias.

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 com starch, and lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, are commonly added. For oral administration in capsule form, useful diluents include lactose and dried com 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, e.g., saline, at a pH level, e.g., 7.4. The solutions may be introduced into a patient's intramuscular blood-stream by local bolus injection.

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 20 mg kg of body weight per day, preferably of between 0.5 mg/kg of body weight to about 10 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 famesyl-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 famesyl 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 famesylate 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 famesyl-protein transferase and quantitating the enzyme. Thus, potent inhibitor compounds of the instant invention may be used in an active site titration assay to determine the quantity of enzyme in the sample. A series of samples composed of aliquots of a tissue extract containing an unknown amount of famesyl-protein transferase, an excess amount of a known substrate of FPTase (for example a tetrapeptide having a cysteine at the amine terminus) and famesyl 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 (i.e., 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.

The standard workup referred to in the examples refers to solvent extraction and washing the organic solution with 10% citric acid, 10% sodium bicarbonate and brine as appropriate. Solutions were dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo on a rotary evaporator.

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of N-{2(S)-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)butanoylamino]-3(S)- methylpentyll-N-d -naphthylmethvD- lvcyl-methionine methyl ester

Step A: Preparation of N-(2(S)-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-3(S)- methylpentyl)glycine methyl ester.

Glycine methyl ester hydrochloride (4.41 g, 0.035 mol) was dissolved in 1 ,2-dichloroethane (50 mL) and DMF (5 mL) and treated with 3 A molecular sieves (10 g) and N-t-butoxycarbonyl- isoleucinal (6.3 g, 0.029 mol) with stirring at 0°C. Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (9.27 g, 0.044 mol) was added, and the pH of the mixture was adjusted to 6 with triethylamine (3 mL, 0.022 mol). After stirring for 18 h the mixture was filtered, concentrated to a small volume and partitioned between EtOAc and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (2 x 50 mL). The combined organic phase was washed with aqueous saturated NaHCθ3 solution, brine, and dried (Na2Sθ4). Filtration and concentration afforded a residue which was purified by flash chromatography (Siθ2, EtOAc :hexane, 1 :3) to give the title compound. lH NMR (CDC13) δ 4.69 (1H, m), 3.72 (3H, s), 3.48-3.62 (1H, m), 3.42 (2H, ABq), 2.65 (2H, d, J=6 Hz), 1.4-1.6 (2H, m), 1.48 (9H, s), 1.04-1.2 (1H, m), 0.85-0.95 (6H, m) ppm.

Step B: Preparation of N-[2(S)-(t-Butoxycarbonylamino)-3(S)- methylpentyl]-N-(l-naphthylmethyl)glycine methyl ester

N-[2(S)-(t-Butoxycarbonylamino)-3(S)- methylpentyl]glycine methyl ester (2.00 g, 6.97 mmol) was dissolved in 1 ,2-dichloroethane (56 ml) and 3 A molecular sieves were added followed by 1-naphthaldehyde (1.89 ml, 13.9 mmol) and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (6.65 g, 31.4 mmol). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 h, and filtered through glass fiber paper and concentrated. The residue was partitioned between EtOAc and sat. NaHCθ3 (100 ml/25 ml). The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (3x50 ml). The organic layers were combined, dried (Na2Sθ4), filtered, and concentrated to give 5.0 g of crude product

which was purified by chromatography (Siθ2, 15-33% ethyl acetate /hexane) to give the title compound.

IH NMR (CD3OD) δ 8.44-8.38 (IH, d, J=6Hz), 7.88-7.77 (2H, m,), 7.55-7.35 (4H, m), 6.34-6.27 (IH, m), 4.25 (2H, ABq), 3.66 (3H, s), 3.40-3.23 (IH, m), 2.90 (IH, dd, J=6 and 15Hz), 2.63 (IH, dd, J=6 and 15Hz), 1.57-1.46 (lH, m), 1.43 (9H, s), 1.34-1.18 (2H, m), 1.06- 0.85 (IH, m) and 0.85-0.71 (6H, m) ppm.

Step C Preparation of N-[2(S)-(t-Butoxycarbonylamino)-3(S)- methylpentyl]-N-( 1 -naphthylmethyl)glycine.

N-[2(S)-(t-Butoxycarbonylamino)-3(S)-methylpentyl]-N- (l-naphthylmethyl)glycine methyl ester (2.61 g, 6.10 mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (50 ml) and IN NaOH (24.4 ml, 24.4 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 4 h and concentrated. The resulting residue was dissolved in water (25 ml) and neutralized with IN HCI (24.4 ml). The aqueous layer was washed with EtOAc (3x50 ml). The organic layers were combined, dried with Na2S04, filtered, and concentrated to give the product. IH NMR (CD3OD) δ 8.43 (IH, d, J=6Hz), 7.97 (2H, t, J=6 Hz) 7.75- 7.48 (4H, m), 4.96 (IH, d, J=12Hz), 4.72 (IH, d, J=12 Hz), 3.80-3.58 (3H, m), 3.49-3.40 (IH, dd„ J=3 and 12 Hz), 3.03 (IH, dd, J=3 and 12 Hz), 1.42 (9H, s,), 1.37-1.28 (2H, m), 1.80-1.00 (IH, m), 0.94-0.78 (6H, m,) ppm.

Step D: Preparation of N-[2(S)-(t-Butoxycarbonylamino)-3(S)- methylpentyl]-N-( 1 -naphthylmethyl)glycine-methionine methyl ester .

N-[2(S)-(t-Butoxycarbonylamino)-3(S)-methylpentyl]-N- (l-naphthylmethyl)glycine (2.29g, 5.53 mmol), dissolved in DMF (20 mL), was treated with HOBT (0.822 g, 6.08 mmol), EDC (1.17 g, 6.08 mmol), and methionine methyl ester hydrochloride (1.21 g, 6.08 mmol). The pH was adjusted to 7.5 with E_3N (1.7 mL, 12 mmol)

and the mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 24 h. The mixture was concentrated, and the residue was partitioned between EtOAc (50 mL) and saturated NaHC03 solution (25 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (1x30 mL). The organic layers were combined, washed with brine (1x25 mL), dried (Na2Sθ4), filtered, and concentrated to give 3.2 g of crude product which was purified by chromatography (silica gel eluting with 1 :3 to 1 :2 ethyl acetate in hexane) to give pure product. IH NMR (CD3OD) δ 8.33 (IH, d, J=6 Hz), 7.90 (IH, d, J=6 Hz), 7.82 (IH, d, J=6 Hz), 7.61-7.39 (4H, m), 6.60-6.52 (IH, m), 4.32-4.06 (2H, m), 3.90-3.69 (IH, m), 3.65 (3H, s), 3.27-3.14 (2H, m), 2.93-2.70 (2H, m), 2.19-1.78 (6H, m), 1.63-1.30 (13H, m), 1.19-1.05 (IH, m), 0.95-0.81 (6H, m) ppm.

Step E: Preparation of N-(2(S)-amino-3(S)-methylpentyl)-N-( 1 - naphthylmethy -glycyl-methionine methyl ester hydrochloride.

N-[2(S)-(t-Butoxycarbonylamino)-3(S)-methylpentyl]-N- (l-naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester (2.82 g, 5.04 mmol) was dissolved in EtOAc (50 mL) and cooled to -25°C. HCI was bubbled through the mixture until TLC (95:5 CH2Cl2:MeOH) indicated complete reaction. Nitrogen was bubbled through the mixture to remove excess HCI and the mixture was then concentrated to give the title compound. IH NMR (CD3OD) d 8.31 (IH, d, J=6 Hz), 7.96 (2H, d, J=6 Hz), 7.83-7.71 (IH, m), 7.68-7.49 (3H, m), 4.76-4.55 (4H, m), 3.84-3.75 (2H, m), 3.71 (3H, s), 3.70-3.59 (IH, m), 3.21-3.00 (2H, m), 2.57-2.38 (3H, m), 2.17-2.04 (4H, m), 1.97-1.81 (IH, m), 1.63-1.50 (IH, m), 1.39-1.20 (IH, m), 1.19-1.00 (IH, m), 0.95-0.79 (6H, m) ppm.

Step F: N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)butanoylamino]-3(S)- methylpentyl } -N-( 1 -naphthylmethyl)-glycy 1-methionine methyl ester

4-(4-Nitrophenyl)butyric acid (73 mg, 350 μmol), dissolved in DMF (5 ml) was treated with HOBT (60 mg, 350 μmol), EDC (76 mg, 350 μmol) and N-[2(S)-amino-3-methylpentyl)-N-(l- naρhthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester hydrochloride (160 mg, 300 μmol). The pH was adjusted to -7.5 with Et3N (170 μl, 385 μmol) and the mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 16h. The mixture was concentrated and the residue was partitioned between EtOAc (100 ml) and H2θ (100ml). The organic layer was washed with H2θ (2 X 50 ml), dried (MgSθ4), filtered and concentrated to give a crude product which was purified by chromatography (silica gel, eluting with 1 :1 to 1:2 hexane : EtOAc) to give the title compound.

Step G: Preparation of N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)butanoyl- amino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 -naphthylmethyl)- glycyl-methionine.

The methyl ester from Step F (87 mg, 130 μmol) was dissolved in MeOH (1 ml) and l.OON NaOH (300 μl, 300 μmol) was added. The mixture was stirred at 45 °C under argon for 45 minutes, then the solution was partitioned between EtOAc (100 ml) and 5% citric acid (50 ml). The organic layer was washed with H2θ (2 X 50 ml), dried (MgS04), filtered and evaporated to give the title compound.

Anal. Calcd for C ₃ 4H ₄₄ N4O6S: C, 64.13; H, 6.96; N, 8.80. Found: C, 64.31; H, 7.07; N, 8.70.

EXAMPLE 2

The following compounds were prepared using the procedure described for Example 1 , Step F, but substituting 4-(4- nitrophenyl)butyric acid with the appropriate acid.

N- { 2(S)-[5-phenylpentanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

N- { 2(S)-[4-phenylbenzoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl-glycyl -methionine methyl ester Anal. Calcd. for C38H45N3O4S

C, 71.33 : H, 7.09 : N, 6.57

C. 71.09 : H, 7.07 : N, 6.77 Fab mass spectrum m/z = 640 (M+l)

N- { 2(S)-[5-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)pentanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } • N-(l-naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester Anal. Calcd. for C36H47N5O8S -1.7 CF3CO2H

C, 52.36 : H, 5.43 : N, 7.75

C, 52.38 : H, 5.49 : N, 7.80 Fab mass spectrum m/z = 710 (M+l)

N- { 2(S)-[4-nitrober_zoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester Anal. Calcd. for C32H40N4O6S • 0.3 EtOAc

C, 62.77 : H, 6.73 : N, 8.82

C, 62.41 : H, 6.51 : N, 8.96

N- { 2(S)-[3-(3-indolyl)propanoylamino } -3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester Anal. Calcd. for C36H46N4O4S • 1.6 CF3CO2H

C, 57.89 : H, 5.90 : N, 6.89

C, 57.94 : H, 5.96 : N, 6.83

N- { 2(S)-[3-( 1 -indoly propanoylamino } -3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester Anal. Calcd. for C36H46N4O4S • 1.65 CF3CO2H

C, 57.63 : H, 5.86 : N, 6.84

C, 57.73 : H, 5.94 : N, 6.82

EXAMPLE 3

The following compounds were prepared using the procedure described for Example 1 , Step G but substituting the methyl ester used therein with the corresponding methyl ester from Example

2.

N- { 2(S)-r5-phenylpentanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

Anal. Calcd. for C35H47N3O4S • 0.35 CHCI3

C, 65.56 : H, 7.37 : N, 6.49

C, 65.59 : H, 7.37 : N, 6.68

N- { 2(S)-[4-phenylbenzoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethy -glycyl-methionine

Anal. Calcd. for C37H43N3O4S • 0.75 EtOAc

C, 69.43 : H, 7.14 : N, 6.07

C, 69.52 : H, 7.05 : N, 5.87

N- { 2(S)-[5-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)pentanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } - N-( 1 -naphthy lmethy l)-glycyl-methionine Anal. Calcd. for C35H45N5O8S • 1.0 EtOAc

C, 59.75 : H, 6.81 : N, 8.93

C, 59.97 : H, 6.57 : N, 8.59

N- { 2(S)-[4-nitrobenzoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

Anal. Calcd. for C31H38N4O6S • 0.45 EtOAc

C, 62.10 : H, 6.61 : N, 8.83

C, 61.71 : H, 6.37 : N, 9.16

N- { 2(S)-[3-(3-indolyl)propanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

Anal. Calcd. for C35H44N4O4S • 0.4 EtOAc • 0.75 H ₂ 0

C, 66.04 : H, 7.38 : N, 8.42 C, 66.03 : H, 7.15 : N, 8.41

N- { 2(S)-[3-( 1 -indolyl)propanoylamino]-3(S)-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

Anal. Calcd.. for C35H44N4O4S • 0.8 EtOAc • 0.85 H2O

C, 65.30 : H, 7.47 : N, 7.97

C, 65.26 : H, 7.11 : N, 7.97

EXAMPLE 4

Preparation of N-{2(S)-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxobutanoylamino]- 4-methylpentyl}-N-(l-naphthylmethyl-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

Step A: Preparation of N-(2(S)-amino-4-methylpentyl)-N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester hydrochloride.

Using the methods of Example 1, Steps A-E, substituting N-t-butoxycarbonyl-leucinal for the N-t-butoxycarbonyl-isoleucinal used therein, the title compound was obtained.

Step B: Preparation of N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4- oxobutanoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

Using the method of Example 1, Step F and the appropriate carboxylic acid, the product of step A was converted to the title compound.

Anal. Calcd. for C36H47N3O6S -1.8 CF3C0 ₂ H • 0.45 H 0: C, 55.10 : H, 5.80 : N, 4.87 Found: C, 55.10 : H, 5.80 : N, 4.96 Fab mass spectrum m z = 650 (M+l)

EXAMPLE 5

Using the method of Example 4, the following compounds were obtained.

N- { 2(S)- { 2-(l ,2,3,4-tetrahydro)naphthoylamino } -4-methylpentyl } -N- (l-naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester Anal. Calcd. for C36H47N3O4S • 0.25 EtOAc

C, 69.45 : H, 7.72 : N, 6.57

C, 69.24 : H, 7.65 : N, 6.64 Fab mass spectrum m/z = 61 (M+l)

N- { 2(S)-[ 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydro)naphthoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl-glycyl-methionine methyl ester Anal. Calcd. for C36H47N3O4S • 0.50 EtOAc

C, 68.95 : H, 7.77 : N, 6.35

C, 69.07 : H, 7.71 : N, 6.37 Fab mass spectrum m/z = 618 (M+l)

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butanoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

Anal. Calcd for C35H47N305S • 0.3 TFA «0.5 H2O: C, 57.17; H,

6.20; N, 5.26.

Found: C, 57.16; H, 6.17; N, 5.50.

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-aminophenyl)butanoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

Anal. Calcd for C35H48N404S • 2.25 TFA -0.25 H2O: C, 53.79; H,

5.80; N, 6.35.

Found: C, 53.70; H, 5.78; N, 6.56.

N- { 2(S)-[2-benzylbenzoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester FAB MS m/z = 655 (M+l).

N- { 2(S)-t(2-benzoylphenyl)acetylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naρhthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

Anal. Calcd for C40H48N3O5S -0.5 EtOAc: C, 69.39; H, 7.21; N,

5.78.

Found: C, 69.15; H, 6.99; N, 5.95.

N- { 2(S)-[(2-benzylphenyl)acetylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

Anal. Calcd for C40H50N3O4S -0.5 EtOAc: C, 70.75; H, 7.63; N,

5.89.

Found: C, 70.87; H, 7.34; N, 6.21.

N- { 2(S)-[(4-benzylphenyl)acetylamino] -4-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

Anal. Calcd for C40H50N3O4S -0.75 EtOAc: C, 70.26; H, 7.68; N,

5.72.

Found: C, 70.14; H, 7.28; N, 5.89.

N- { 2(S)-[ (3 -benzoylphenyl)acetylamino] -4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine methyl ester

Anal. Calcd for C40H48N3O5S «0.3 EtOAc: C, 69.76; H, 7.16; N,

5.92.

Found: C, 69.76; H, 6.95; N, 6.07.

EXAMPLE 6

The following compounds were prepared using the procedure described for Example 1 , Step G but substituting the methyl ester used therein with the corresponding methyl ester from Examples 4 and 5.

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxobutanoylamino]-4- methylpentyl } -N-(l -naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

This compound was prepared by in situ hydrolysis of the corresponding methyl ester.

N- { 2(S)-[2-(l ,2,3,4-tetrahydro)naphthoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N- ( 1 -naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine Anal. Calcd. for C35H45N3O4S • 0.8 H2O

C, 67.99 : H, 7.60 : N, 6.80

C, 67.99 : H, 7.35 : N, 6.73

N- { 2(S)-[ 1 -( 1 ,2,3 ,4-tetrahydro)naphthoylamino] -4-methylpentyl } -N- ( 1 -naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine Anal. Calcd. for C35H45N3O4S • 0.8 H2O

C, 67.99 : H, 7.60 : N, 6.80

C, 67.60 : H, 7.32 : N, 6.82

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)butanoylamino] -4-methylpentyl } -N-(l - naphthylmethy -glycyl-methionine

Anal. Calcd for C34H44N4O6S -0.75 EtOAc -0.25 H2O: C, 62.82; H,

7.20; N, 7.92.

Found: C, 62.84; H, 7.03; N, 7.83.

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butanoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

Anal. Calcd for C34H45N305S -0.1 EtOAc -0.80 H2O: C, 65.47; H,

7.57; N, 6.66. Found: C, 65.46; H, 7.26; N, 6.66.

N- { 2(S)-[ (3 -benzoylphenyl)acetylamino] -4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethy -glycyl-methionine

Anal. Calcd for C39H46N305S -0.5 EtOAc -0.35 H2θ: C, 68.46; H,

7.11; N, 5.84. Found: C, 68.47; H, 6.83; N, 5.81.

N- { 2(S)-[4-(4-aminophenyl)butanoylamino]-4-methylpenty 1 } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

This compound was prepared by in situ hydrolysis of the corresponding methyl ester.

N- { 2(S)-[2-benzylbenzoylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethy -glycyl-methionine

Anal. Calcd for C38H46N304S -0.5 H2θ: C, 70.23; H, 7.29; N, 6.47.

Found: C, 70.05; H, 7.02; N, 6.49.

N- { 2(S)-[(2-benzoylphenyl)acetylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

Anal. Calcd for C39H46N305S -0.45 H2θ: C, 69.19; H, 6.98; N,

6.21.

Found: C, 69.23; H, 6.73; N, 6.09.

5 N- { 2(S)-[(2-benzylphenyl)acetylamino]-4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - naphthylmethyl)-glycyl-methionine

IH NMR was consistent with the named stmcture.

N- { 2(S)-[(4-benzylphenyl)acety lamino] -4-methylpentyl } -N-( 1 - 0 naphthylmethy -glycyl-methionine

Anal. Calcd for C39H48N3O ₄ S • 0.1 EtOAc • 0.35 H2O: C, 70.62; H,

7.45; N, 6.27.

Found: C, 70.64; H, 7.25; N, 6.18.

⁵ EXAMPLE 32

In vitro inhibition of ras famesyl transferase

Assays of famesyl-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.SA. 56:6630-6634 (1989). Bovine

FPTase was assayed in a volume of 100 μl containing 100 mM N-(2- hydroxy ethyl) piperazine-/v"-(2-ethane sulfonic acid) (HEPES), pH 7.4, 5 mM MgCl2, 5 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), 100 mM [3H]-famesyl diphosphate ([ ³ H]-FPP; 740 CBq/mmol, New England Nuclear), 650 nM Ras-CVLS and 10 μg/ml FPTase at 31°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 b-plate counter. The assay was linear with respect to both substrates, FPTase levels and time; less than 10% of the [3HJ-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 famesyl 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 52:5167-5176 (1993). Human FPTase activity was assayed as described above with the exception that 0.1 % (w/v) polyethylene glycol 20,000, 10 μM ZnCl ₂ and 100 nM Ras-CVIM were added to the reaction mixture. Reactions were performed for 30 min., stopped with 100 μl of 30% (v/v) trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in ethanol and processed as described above for the bovine enzyme.

The compounds of the instant invention were tested for inhibitory activity against human FPTase by the assay described above and were found to have IC50 of < 10 μM.

EXAMPLE 32

In vivo ras famesylation 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 0.1%). After 4 hours at 37°C, the cells are labelled in 3 ml methionine-free DMEM supple-meted with 10% regular DMEM, 2% fetal bovine serum and 400 mCi[35S]methionine (1000 Ci/mmol). After an additional 20 hours, the cells are lysed in 1 ml lysis buffer (1% 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°C, 200 ml of a 25% 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 NaCl) 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 famesylated and nonfarnesylated ras proteins are compared to determine the percent inhibition of famesyl transfer to protein.

EXAMPLE 33

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 Rat 1 cells transformed with either a \-ras, \-raf, or 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 10^ 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 (0.6%). 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 were seeded and comparisons are made.