Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a particular class of peptidyl derivatives, to processes for their preparation and to their use in medicine.

Background to the Invention

In normal tissues, cellular connective tissue synthesis is offset by extracellular matrix degradation, the two opposing effects existing in dynamic equilibrium. Degradation of the matrix is brought about by the action of proteinases released from resident connective tissue cells and invading inflammatory cells, and is due, in part, to the activity of at least three groups of metalloproteinases. These are the collagenases, the gelatinases (or type-IV collagenases) and the stromelysins. Normally these catabolic enzymes are tightly regulated at the level of their synthesis and secretion and also at the level of their extracellular activity, the latter through the action of specific inhibitors, such as α ₂ -macroglobulins and TIMP (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase), which form inactive complexes with metalloproteinases.

The accelerated, uncontrolled breakdown of connective tissues by metalloproteinase catalysed resorption of the extracellular matrix is a feature of many pathological conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, corneal, epidermal or gastric ulceration; tumour metastasis or invasion; periodontal disease and bone disease. It can be expected that the pathogenesis of such diseases is likely to be modified in a beneficial manner by the administration of metalloproteinase inhibitors and numerous compounds have been suggested for this purpose [for a general review see Wahl, R.C. ≤lai Ann. Rep. Med. Chem. 25, 175-184, Academic Press Inc., San Diego (1990)].

Certain hydroxamic acid peptidyl derivatives [see for example European Patent Specifications Nos. 214639, 231081 , 236872 and 274453 and International Patent Specifications Nos. WO90/05716 and WO90/05719], have been described as collagenase and/or stromelysin inhibitors.

Summarv of the Invention

We have now found a particular class of peptidyl derivatives, members of which advantageously possess a potent and selective inhibitory action against gelatinase.

There is now much evidence that metalloproteinases are important in tumour invasion and metastasis. Tumour cell gelatinase, in particular, has been associated with the potential of tumour cells to invade and metastasise. Tumour invasion and metastasis is the major cause of treatment failure for cancer patients, and the use of a selective gelatinase inhibitor such as a compound of the present invention which is capable of inhibiting tumour cell invasion can be expected to improve the treatment of this disease.

Thus according to one aspect of the invention we provide a compound of formula (I)

wherein R represents a -CONHOH, carboxyl (-C0 ₂ H) or esterified carboxyl group;

R ¹ represents an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl or heteroarylthioalkyl group;

R ² represents an optionally substituted phenylethyl, phenylpropyl or phenylbutyl group;

R ³ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group;

R ⁴ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group;

R ⁵ represents an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group optionally interrupted by one or more -O- or -S- atoms or -N(R ⁷ )- groups [where R ⁷ is a hydrogen atom or a C _| . ₆ alkyl group];

X represents an amino (-NH ₂ ), or substituted amino, hydroxyl or substituted hydroxyi group;

and the salts, solvates and hydrates thereof.

It will be appreciated that the compounds according to the invention can contain one or more asymmetrically substituted carbon atoms, for example those marked with an asterisk in formula (I). The presence of one or more of these aysmmetric centres in a compound of formula (I) can give rise to stereoisomers, and in each case the invention is to be understood to extend to all such stereoisomers, including enantiomers and diastereoisomers, and mixtures, including racemic mixtures, thereof.

In the formulae herein, the -line is used at a potential asymmetric centre to represent the possibility of R- and S- configurations, the — ---■ line and the line to represent an unique configuration at an asymmetric centre.

In the compounds according to the invention, when the group R represents an esterified carboxyl group, it may be for example a group of formula -

CO2R ⁸ where R ⁸ is a straight or branched, optionally substituted C _| _ ₈ alkyl group such as a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl or t- butyl group; a C ₆ _ ₁₂ arylC.,_ ₈ alkyl group such as an optionally substituted benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl, α-naphthylmethyl or β-naphthylmethyl group; a C ₆ . ₁₂ aryl group such as an optionally substituted phenyl, α- naphthyl or

β-naphthyl group; a C ₆ . ₁₂ aryioxyC ₁ . ₈ alkyl group such as an optionally substituted phenyloxymethyl, phenyloxyethyl, α-πaphthyloxymethyl or β- naphthyloxy ethyl group; an optionally substituted C,_ ₈ alkanoyloxyC.,_ ₈ alkyl group, such as a pivaloyloxymethyl, propionyloxyethyl or propionyioxypropyl group; or a C ₆ _., ₂ aroy ioxyC, _ ₈ alkyl group such as an optionally substituted benzoyloxyethyl or benzoyloxypropyl group. Optional substituents present on the groups R ⁸ include for example one or more halogen atoms such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atoms, or C,_ ₄ alkyl, e.g. methyl or ethyl, or C-,_ ₄ alkoxy, e.g. methoxy or ethoxy, groups.

In general, when the group R represents as esterified carboxyl group, it may be a metabolically labile ester of a carboxylic acid.

When the group R ¹ in compounds of formula (I) represents an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group, it may be, for example, a straight or branched C,_ ₆ alkyl or C ₂ . ₆ alkenyl group, such as a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyt, n-butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, i-penty, n-hexyl, ethenyl, 1- propenyl, 1-butenyl or 2-butenyl group optionally substituted by one or more C.μ ₆ alkoxy, e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, C.,_ ₆ aikylthio, e.g. methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, C ₆ _ ₁₂ arylC.,_ ₆ aIkoxy, e.g. phenylC _| _ ₆ alkoxy such as benzyloxy, aralkylthio, e.g phenylC _| _ ₆ alkylthio such as benzylthio, amino (-

NH ₂ ), substituted amino, [such as -NHR ⁹ , where R ⁹ is a C _| _ ₆ alkyl e.g. methyl or ethyl, C ₆ _ ₁₂ arylC _| _ ₆ alkyl, e.g. phenylCμgalkyl, such as benzyl, C ₆ _ ₁₂ aryl, e.g. phenyl, C ₃ . ₈ cycloalkyl, e.g. cyclohexyl, or C ₃ . ₈ cycloalkylC ₁ .

₆ alkyl, e.g. cyclohexylmethyl group], carboxyl (-C0 ₂ H) or -C0 ₂ R ⁸ [where R ⁸ is as defined above] groups.

Aryl groups represented by R ¹ in compounds of formula (I) include C ₆ . ₁₂ aryl groups such as phenyl or α- or β-naphthyl groups.

AralkyI groups represented by R ¹ include C ₆ _ ₁₂ arylC,_ ₆ alkyl groups such as

phenylC^galkyl, or α- or β-naphthylC- _| .gaikyl, for example benzyl, phenyiethyl, phenylpropyl, phenylbutyl, phenylpentyl, α- or β- naphthylmethyl, naphthyiethyl, naphthylpropyl, naphthylbutyl or naphthylpentyl groups.

When the group R ¹ in compounds of formula (I) is a heteroaralkyl group, it may be for example a Cg.gheteroarylC^galkyl group, such as an optionally substituted pyrrolylmethyl, furanylmethyl, thienylmethyl, imidazolylmethyl, oxazolylmethyl, thiazolyimethyl, pyrazolylmethyl, pyrrolidinylmethyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyrimidinylmethyl, morpholinylmethyl, or piperazinylmethyl group.

Heteroarylthioalkyl groups represented by R ¹ include C ₃ . ₆ heteroarylthioC ₁ . ₆ alkyl groups such as optionally substituted pyrrolylthiomethyl, furanylthiomethyl, oxazolylthiomethyl, thiazolylthiomethyl, pyraiolylthiomethyl, pyrrolidinylthiomethyl, pyridinylthiomethyl, pyrimidinylthiomethyl, morpholinylthiomethyl, or piperazinylthiomethyl groups.

The aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, or heterarythioalkyi groups represented by

R ¹ , and the groups represented by R ² in compounds of formula (I) may each optionally be substituted in the cyclic part of the group by one, two or more substituents [R ^{1 0} ] selected from halogen atoms, e.g. fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atoms, or C^galkyl, e.g. methyl or ethyl, C _| _ ₆ alkoxy e.g. methoxy or ethoxy, C ₂ _ ₆ alkylenedioxy, e.g. ethylenedioxy, haloC- _j . ₆ alkyl, e.g. tri-fluoromethyl, Cμgalkylamino, e.g. methylamino or ethylamino, C,_ gdialkylamino, e.g. dimethylamino or diethylamino, amino (-NH ₂ ), nitro, cyano, hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-C0 ₂ H), -C0 ₂ R ⁸ , where R ⁸ is as defined above, Cμgalkylcarbonyl, e.g. acetyl, sulphonyl (-S0 ₂ H), C,_ ₆ alkylsulphonyl, e.g. methylsulphonyl, aminosulphonyl (-S0 NH ₂ ), C-μg aikylaminosulphonyl, e.g. methylaminosulphonyl or ethylaminosulphonyl,

Cμgdialkylaminosulphonyl e.g. dimethylaminosulphonyl or diethylaminosulphonyl, carboxamido

(-CONH ₂ ), C- _j .galkylaminocarbonyl, e.g. methylaminocarbonyl or ethylaminocarbonyl, C _μ gdialkylaminocarbonyl, e.g. dimethylaminocarbonyl or diethylaminocarbonyl, sulphonylamino (-NHS0 ₂ H), C-μ ₆ alkylsulphonylamino, e.g. methylsulphonylamino or ethylsulphonylamino, or C- _| .gdϊalkytsulphonylamino, e.g. dimethylsulphonylamino or diethylsulphonylamino groups. It will be appreciated that where two or more

R ¹⁰ substituents are present, these need not necessarily be the same atoms and/or groups. The R ¹ ° substituents may be present at any ring carbon atom away from that attached to the rest of the molecule of formula (I). Thus, for example, in phenyl groups any substituents may be present at the 2-, 3- or 4- 5- or 6- positions relative to the ring carbon atom attached to the remainder of the molecule.

When the groups R ³ and R ⁴ in compounds of formula (I) are alkyl groups, they may be for example C- _j ^alkyl groups such as methyl or ethyl groups.

The group R ⁵ in compounds of formula (I) may be an optionally substituted straight or branched O _j .galkyl, e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl i-propyl, n-butyl, i- butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl or C ₂ . ₆ alkenyl e.g. ethenyl or 1-propenyl group optionally interrupted by one or more -O- or -S- atoms or -N(R ⁷ )- groups where R ⁷ is a hydrogen atom or a C- _j _ ₆ alkyl group such as a methyl group.

Optional substituents which may be present on alkyl or alkenyl groups R ⁵ include Cg. ₁₂ arylC ₁ . ₆ alkyl groups such as optionally substituted phenylC- _j .g e.g. benzyl groups, Cg.^arylC galkoxy groups such as optionally substituted phenylC _| _ ₆ alkoxy e.g. benzyloxy groups, C ₆ . ₁₂ aryl e.g. optionally substituted phenyl groups, C ₃ . ₈ heteroaryl e.g. optionally substituted indole, imidazole or quinoline groups, Cg.^ ryiC galkoxyCg. _{1 2} aryl, e.g. benzyloxyphenyl groups, -OH, -SH, C _| _ ₆ alkylthio e.g. melthlthio or ethylthio, carboxyl (-C0 ₂ H), amino (-NH ₂ ), carboxamido (-CONH ₂ ) or

guanido -NHC(NH ₂ )=NH, groups. The optional substituents present on these groups may be R ^{1 0} substituents as discussed above.

When X in the compounds of formula (I) represents a substituted amino group it may be for example a group of formula -NR ¹¹ R ¹² , where R ¹¹ and

R ^{1 2} , which may be the same or different, is each a hydrogen atom (with the proviso that when one of R ¹¹ or R ^{1 2} is a hydrogen atom, the other is not) or an optionally substituted straight ot branched alkyl group, optionally interrupted by one or more -O- or -S- atoms or -N(R ⁷ )- or aminocarbonyloxy [-NHC(0)0-] groups or R ¹¹ and R ² , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, may form an optionally substituted C ₃ . ₆ cyclic amino group optionally possessing one or more other heteroatoms selected from -O- or -

S-, or -N(R ⁷ )- groups.

When R ¹¹ and/or R ^{1 2} is an alkyl group it may be for example a C _h alky I group such as a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl, or t- butyl group, optionally interrupted by one or more -O- or -S- atoms, or -

N(R ⁷ )- or aminocarbonyloxy groups and may be for example a methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, ethoxyethyl or ethylaminocarbonyloxymethyl group. The optional substituents which may be present on such groups include hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-C0 ₂ H), esterified carboxyl (-C0 ₂ R ⁸ ), carboxamido (-CONH ₂ ), substituted carboxamido, e.g. a group -CONR ¹¹ R ^{1 2} where NR ¹¹ R ^{1 2} is as defined herein, amino (-NH ₂ ), substituted amino, for example a group of formula -NR ¹¹ R ^{1 2} , or aryl, e.g. C ₆ . ₁₂ aryl such as phenyl, optionally substituted by one, two or more R ¹ ° substituents selected from those listed above in relation to the group R ² .

Particular examples of cyclic amino groups represented by -NR ¹¹ R ^{1 2} include morpholinyl, imidazolyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyridinyl and pyrimidinyl groups.

When the group X is a substituted hydroxyl group it may be for example a group -OR ¹¹ where R ¹¹ is as defined above, other than a hydrogen atom.

Salts of compounds of formula (1) include pharmaceutically acceptable salts, for example acid addition salts derived from inorganic or organic acids, such as hydrochforides, hydrobromides, hydroiodides, p-toluene sulphonates, phosphates, sulphates, perchlorates, acetates, trifluoroacetates propionates, citrates, malonates, succinates, lactates, oxalates, tartarates and benzoates.

Salts may also be formed with bases. Such salts include salts derived from inorganic or organic bases,, for example alkali metal salts such as sodium or potassium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as magnesium or calcium salts, and organic amine salts such as morpholine, piperidine, dimethylamine or diethylamine salts.

When the group R in compounds of the invention is an esterified carboxyl group, it may be a metabolϊcally labile ester of formula -CO^ where R ⁸ may be an ethyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl, α- or β-naphthyl, 2,4- dϊmethylyphenyl, 4-t-butylphenyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 1-(benzyloxy)benzyl, 1- (benzyloxy)ethyl, 2-methyl-l-propionyloxypropyl, 2,4,6- trimethylbenzoyloxymethyl or pivaloyloxymethyl group.

In the compounds of formula (I) the group R ¹ may in particular be a C _j .gaikyl group such as a methyl group, an aralkyl group such as benzyl group, an arylthioalkyl group such as a phenythiomethyl group or a heteroarylthioalkyl group such as thienylthiomethyl, pyridinylthiomethyl or pyrimidinylthiomethyl group or is especially a hydrogen atom.

The groups R ³ and R ⁴ in compounds of formula (I) may each in particular be a methyl group, or, especially, a hydrogen atom.

The group R^ in compounds of formula (I) may in particular be a C- _| .øalkyl group, e.g. an i-propyl or i-butyl group, or an optionally substituted benzyl, benzyloxybenzyl or indolymethyl group.

The group X in compounds of formula (I) may be in particular an amino (- NH ₂ ) or -NR ¹¹ R ¹² group. Particular -NR ¹¹ R ¹² groups are -NHR ¹² groups.

Groups of this type include those where R ¹² is a C,_ ₆ alkyl group, for example a methyl, ethyl, or n-propyl group, optionally interrupted by one or more -O- or -S- atoms or -N(R ⁷ ) [e.g. -NH- or -N(CH ₃ )-] or aminocarbonyloxy groups and optionally substituted by a hydroxyl, carboxyl, carboxyalkyl, e.g. carboxymethyl, carboxamido, amino, -NR ¹¹ R ^{1 2} , [for example di-C,. ₆ alkylamino such as dimethylamino, C. _| . ₆ alkylamino such as methylamino, or C ₃ . ₆ cyclic amino such as morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl or pyridinyl] or phenyl optionally substituted by one, two or more R ¹ ° substituents.

A particularly useful group of compounds according to the invention is that of formula (I) where R ² is an optionally substituted phenylpropyl group.

A further particularly useful group of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein X is an amino or substituted amino group.

In general, in compounds of formula (I) the groups R ¹ , R ³ and R ⁴ is each preferably a hydrogen atom.

In a further preference, the group R in compounds according to the invention is a -CONHOH or a -C0 ₂ H group or a metabolically labile ester thereof. In a particular preference, however, R is a -CONHOH or a -C0 ₂ H group An especially useful group of compounds according to the invention has the formula (la)

wherein R, R ² , R ⁵ and X are as defined for formula (I); and the salts, solvates and hydrates thereof.

A particularly useful group of compounds of formula (la) are those wherein R represents a -CONHOH or -C0 ₂ H group; R ² represents an optionally substituted phenylpropyl group;

X is an amino (-NH ₂ ) or substituted amino group; and the salts, solvates and hydrates thereof.

In the compounds of formula (la) X may be a -NH ₂ group or a group - NR ¹¹ R ¹² as defined for compounds of formula (I). The group R ⁵ may in particular be a Chalky! group such as an i-propyl or i-butyl group, or an optionally substituted benzyl, benzyloxybenzyl or indolymethyl group.

The compounds according to the invention may be prepared by the following processes. In the description and formulae below the groups R,

R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and X are as defined above, except where otherwise indicated. It will be appreciated that functional groups, such as amino, hydroxyl or carboxyl groups, present in the various compounds described below, and which it is desired to retain, may need to be in protected form before any reaction is initiated. In such instances, removal of the protecting group may be the final step in a particular reaction. Suitable amino or hydroxyl protecting groups include benzyl, benzyloxycarbonyl or t- butyloxycarbonyl groups. These may be removed from a protected derivative by catalytic hydrogenation using for example hydrogen in the presence of a metal catalyst, for example palladium on a support such as

carbon in a solvent such as an alcohol e.g. methanol, or by treatment with trimethylsilyl iodide or trifluoroacetic acid in an aqueous solvent. Suitable carboxyl protecting groups include benzyl groups, which may be removed from a protected derivative by the methods just discussed, or alkyl groups, such as a t-butyl group which may be removed from a protected derivative by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid in an aqueous solvent. Other suitable protecting groups and methods for their use will be readily apparent. The formation of the protected amino, hydroxyl or carboxyl group may be achieved using standard alkylation or esterification procedures, for example as described below.

Thus according to a further aspect of the invention a compound of formula (I) may be prepared by coupling an acid of formula (II)

or an active derivative thereof, with an amine of formula (III)

followed by removal of any protecting groups.

Active derivatives of acids for formula (II) include for example acid anhydrides, or acid halides, such as acid chlorides.

The coupling reaction may be performed using standard conditions for animation reactions of this type. Thus, for example the reaction may be achieved in a solvent, for example an inert organic solvent such as an ether, e.g. a cyclic ether such as tetrahydrofuran, an amide e.g. a substituted amide such as dimethylformamide, or a halogenated hydrocarbon such as dichloromethane at a low temperature, e.g. -30°C to amibient temperature, such as -20°C to 0°C, optionally in the presence of a base, e.g. an organic base such as an amine, e.g. triethylamine or a cyclic amine such as N- methylmorpholine. Where an acid of formula (II) is used, the reaction may additionally be performed in the presence of a condensing agent, for example a diimide such as N.N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, advantageously in the presence of a triazole such as l-hydroxybenzotriazole. Alternatively, the acid may be reacted with a chloroformate for example ethylchloroformate, prior to reaction with the amine of formula (111).

Free hydroxyl or carboxyl groups in the starting materials of formulae (II) [where R is -CONHOH or C0 ₂ H] and (III) may need to be protected during the coupling reaction. Suitable protecting groups and methods for their removal may be those mentioned above.

It will be appreciated that where a particular steroisomer of formula (I) is required, this may be obtained by resolution of a mixture of isomers following the coupling reaction of an acid of formula (II) and an amine of formula (III). Conventional resolution techniques may be used, for example separation of isomers by Chromatography e.g. by use of high performance liquid chrormatography. Where desired, however, appropriate homochiral starting materials may be used in the coupling reaction to yield a particular stereo isomer of formula (I). Thus, in particular process a compound of formula (la) may be prepared by reaction of a compound of formula (Ma.)

with an amine of formula (Ilia)

as described above

Intermediate acids of formula (II) wherein R is a carboxyl or esterified carboxyl group may be prepared by hydrolysing a corresponding ester of formula (IV)

where R ^{1 3} is an alkyl group, for example a methyl or t-butyl group, using for example trifluoroacetic acid, or, when R ¹³ is a methyl group using enzymatic hydrolysis, such as for example with α-chymotrypsin, in an aqueous solvent. In this reaction, enzymatic hydrolysis (for example as more particularly described in the Examples herein) usefully provides a method of isomer selection.

The ester of formula (IV) may be prepared by esterification of the corresponding acid of formula (V)

using an appropriate acyl halide, for example an acyl chloride in a solvent such as an alcohol, e.g. methanol at a low temperature, e.g. around 0°C.

Acids of formula (V) may be prepared by alkylation of a compound of formula (VI)

with an appropriate halide, e.g. a compound R ² Hal, where Hal is a halogen atom such as a chlorine or bromine atom in the presence of a base, for example an alkoxide such as sodium ethoxide in a solvent such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol at ambient temperature, followed by decarboxylatioπ using for example concentrated hydrochloric acid at an elevated temperature.e.g. the reflux temperature.

Intermediates of formula (VI) are either known compounds or may be prepared by methods analogous to those used for the preparation of the known compounds.

Intermediate acids of formula (IV) wherein R is a -CONHOH group or a protected derivative thereof may be prepared by reaction of an anhydride of formula (VII)

.with a hydroxylamine such as O-benzylhydroxylamine in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a low temperature, e.g. around -20°C, followed where desired by removal of the protecting group as described above.

The intermediate anhydrides of formula (VII) may be prepared for example by heating for example at the reflux temperature, a diacid of formula (V) where R is -C0 ₂ H with an acyl chloride such as acetyl chloride.

The homochiral acids of formula (lla) may be prepared according to another feature of the invention by oxidation of an oxazolidinone of formula (Vlll)

(where Ph is a phenyl group)

using an oxidising agent such as peroxide, e.g. hydrogen peroxide in a solvent such as an ether e.g. a cyclic ether such as tetrahydrofuran, at a low temperature, e.g. around 0°C followed by treatment with a base, such as lithium hydroxide, at an elevated temperature.

The compounds of formula (Vlll) are novel, particularly useful, intermediates

forthe preparation of stereoisomers of formula (la) and form a further aspect of the invention.

The compounds of formula (Vlll) may be prepared by reaction of an acyl halide RCH ₂ CH(R ² )COHal (where Hal is a halogen atom such as chloride, bromine or iodine atom) with a solution of (S)-4-(phenyimethyl)-2- oxazolidinone in the presence of a base such as n-butyl lithium in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a low temperature, e.g. around -78°C.

Acyl halides RCH ₂ CH)(R ² )COHal may be prepared by treatment of the corresponding known acids RCH ₂ CH(R ² )C0 ₂ H with conventional halogenating agents for example thionyl halides under standard reaction conditions.

In another process according to the invention, a compound of formula (I) where R is a carboxyl group may be prepared by decarboxylation of a corresponding compound of formula (IX).

The reaction may be achieved using standard conditions, for example by heating a compound of formula (IX) in an inert solvent, such as an aromatic hydrocarbon, e.g. xyiene, at the reflux temperature.

The intermediate acids of formula (IX) may be prepared by reaction of a protected acid of formula (X)

where R is a protected carboxyl group such as a benzyloxycarbonyl group and Z ¹ is a protecting group such as a benzyl group with an amine of formula (III) using reagents and conditions as described above for coupling compounds of formula (II) and (III), followed by removal of the protecting groups.

The intermediates of formula (X) may be prepared by treatment of an appropriate malonic ester RCH ₂ C0 ₂ Z ¹ with a halide of formula (XI)

(where Hal is a halogen atom, e.g. a chlorine or bromine atom) in the presence of a base such as potassium t-butoxide in a solvent such as dimethylformamide at ambient temperature.

Halides of formula (XI) may be prepared by halogenation and subsequent decarboxylation of a di-acid of formula (XII).

using for example a halogenating agent such as bromine in a solvent such as diethyl ether at ambient temperature, followed by heating of the resulting halogenated intermediate in a solvent such as an aromatic hydrocarbon e.g. xylene, at the reflux temperature.

Intermediates of formula (XII) may be prepared by hydrolysis of the corresponding di-alkylester (e.g. the dimethyl or diethyl ester using a base such as sodium or potassium hydroxide in a solvent such as an alcohol e.g. methanol at the reflux temperature. The di-alkyl ester starting materials are either known compounds or may be prepared by methods analogous to those used for the preparation of the known compounds, for example as described in the Examples herein.

Compounds of formula (I) may also be prepared by interconversion of other compounds of formula (I). Thus, for example, a compound of formula (I) wherein R is a -CONHOH group may be prepared by reaction of a corresponding acid of formula (I) wherein R is a -C0 ₂ H group or an active derivate thereof (for example an acid chloride or an acid anhydride) with hydroxylamine or an O-protected derivative or a salt thereof. The reaction may be performed using the reagents and conditions described above in the preparation of compounds of formula (I) from the starting materials of formulae (II) and (III).

In another interconversion process, compounds of formula (I) wherein R is - C0 ₂ H and/or X contains a -C0 ₂ H group may be prepared by hydrolysis of the corresponding esterified compounds (for example where R is a -C0 ₂ R ⁸ group and/or X contains a similar group) using conventional procedures, for example by treatment with a base, e.g. an alkali metal hydroxide such as

lithium hydroxide in a solvent such as an aqueous alcohol, e.g. aqueous methanol, or by treatment with an acid such as a mineral acid, e.g. hydrochloric acid in the presence of a solvent, e.g. dioxan.

Similarly esters of formula (I), for example where R is a CO^ group and/or

X contains a -C0 ₂ R ⁸ group may be prepared by reaction of the corresponding acids, where R is a -C0 ₂ H group and/or X contains a -C0 ₂ H group or an active derivative thereof, with an alcohol R ⁸ OH using standard conditions.

The compounds according to the invention are potent and selective inhibitors of gelatinase. The activity and selectivity of the compounds may be determined by the use of appropriate enzyme inhibition test for example as described in Example A hereinafter. In our tests using this approach, compounds according to the invention have been shown to inhibit gelatinase with Ki values in the picomolar-nanomolar range and to have around a 40 fold or greater selectivity for gelatinase over stromelysin, and around a 20-fold or greater selectivity for gelatinase over collagenase.

The ability of compounds of the invention to prevent tumour cell invasion may be demonstrated in a standard mouse model.

Thus, briefly, nude mice may be inoculated with a tumour cell line showing gelatinase - dependent invasion and the ability of compounds according to the invention to reduce subsequent lung tumour colonisation may be evaluated in accordance with standard procedures. In out tests, compounds according to the invention, when administered intravenously at 1 mg/kg to mice in the above model have reduced lung tumour colonisation to negligable levels.

The compounds according to the invention can be expected to be of use to prevent tumour cell metastasis and invasion. The compounds may therefore

be of use in the treatment of cancer, particularly in conjunction with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery, or in patients presenting with primary tumours, to control the development of tumour metastasises. Thus, according to a further aspect of the invention we provide a compound of formula (I) for use in the treatment of cancer to control the development of tumour metastasises. Particularly cancers may include breast, melanoma, lung, head, neck or bladder cancers.

For use according to this aspect of the invention, the compounds of formula (I) may be formulated in a conventional manner, optionally with one or more physiologically acceptable carriers, diluents or excipients.

Thus according to a further aspect of the invention we provide a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier or excipient.

In a still further aspect the invention provides a process for the production of a pharmaceutical composition comprising bringing a compound of formula (I) into association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier or excipient.

Compounds for use according to the present invention may be formulated for oral, buccal, parental or rectal administration or in a form suitable for nasal administration or administration by inhalation or insufflation.

For oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions may take the form of, for example, tablets or capsules prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binding agents (e.g. pregelatinised maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g. lactose, microcrystalline cellulose or calcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants (e.g. magnesium stearate, talc or silica); disintegrants (e.g. potato starch or sodium glycollate); or wetting agents (e.g. sodium lauryl sulphate). The tablets may be coated by methods well known

in the art. Liquid preparations for oral administration may take the form of, for example, solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they may be presented as a dry product for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may be prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents, emulsifying agents, non-aqueous vehicles; and preservatives. The preparations may also contain buffer salts, flavouring, colouring and sweetening agents as appropriate.

Preparations for oral administration may be suitably formulated to give controlled release of the active compound.

For buccai administration the compositions may take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in conventional manner.

The compounds of formula (I) may be formulated for parental administration by injection e.g. by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form. The compositions for injection may take such forms as suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilising and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g. sterile pyrogen-free water, before use.

The compounds of formula (I) may also be formulated in rectal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g. containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides.

In addition to the formulations described above the compounds of formula (I) may also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation or by intramuscular injection.

For nasal administration or administration by inhalation the compounds for use according to the present invention are conventiently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation for pressurised packs or a nebuliser, with the use of suitable propellant, e.g. dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas.

The compositions may, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenser device which may contain one or more unit dosage forms containing the active ingredient. The pack or dispenser device may be accompanied by instructions for admininstration.

The doses of compounds of formula (I) used to control the development of tumour metastasises will vary depending on the condition of the patient to be treated but in general may be in the range around 0-5mg to 50mg/kg body weight, particularly from about 1 mg to 40mg/kg body weight. Dosage units may be varied according to the route of administration of the compound in accordance with conventional practice.

Description of Specific Embodiments

The invention is further illustrated in the following non-limiting Examples.

In the Examples, the following abbreviations are used:

RT - room temperature

DCCI - N.N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide

DMF - dimethylformamide

THF - tetrahydrofuran

TFA - trifluoroacetic acid

RPHPLC reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography

HOBT - N-hydroxybeπzotriazole

Reference Example

[4-N-(Hydroxyamino)-2R-isobutylsuccinyl]-L-valine-L-alani ne amide

R.S - Isobutvlsuccinic acid

Sodium ethoxide was prepared by adding sodium metal (2.5g, 108mmol_) to anhydrous ethanol (150ml) under nitrogen. Triethyl 1 ,1 ,2- ethanetricarboxylate (26.6g, 25ml, 108mmoL) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature (RT) for 20 minutes. Isobutyl bromide (19.12g, 15ml, 108mmoL) was added dropwise over 1 hour and the solution raised to reflux overnight. The precipitated sodium bromide was filtered off and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was treated with cold H2O (200ml) and extracted with diethyl ether (3 x 100ml). The organic layer was dried (Na2S04) and concentrated to give a clear oil (32.2g) which was refluxed with concentrated hydrochloric acid for 96 hours. On cooling, a white crystalline solid precipitated which was filtered, washed with ice cold water and dried in vacuo to give the title compound K (11.0g)

¹ HNMR (CDCL3) δ 0.85 (3H, d, J = 6Hz), 0.90 (3H, d, J=6Hz), 1.3-1.45 (1 H, m), 1.55-1.75 (2H, m), 2.50 (1 H, dd, J=6 and 18 Hz), 2.70 (1 H, dd, J=9 and 18 Hz), 2.85-2.95 (1 H, m).

3-fR.S Isobutvlsuccinic anhydride

The diacid K (10.21g, 59mmoL) was treated with acetyl chloride (27ml, 376mmoL) under reflux for 2.1/2 hours. Volatiles were removed under reduced pressure to give the anhydride L (9.37g, 100%) as a brownish oil.

HNMR (CDCL ₃ ) 0.95 (3H, d, J = 6Hz), 1.05 (3H, d, J=6Hz), 1.48-1.90 (3H, m), 2.65 (1H, dd, J=7 and 18Hz), 3.10 (1H, dd, J= 9 and 18 Hz), 3.15-3.25 (1 H, m).

r4-fN-Benzyloxyamino -2 R.S-lsobutvh succinic acid M

O-Benzyl hydroxylamine (7.8g, 63.4mmoL) in dry THF (50ml) was added dropwise (over 1 hour) to a solution of the anhydride (9.37g, 60.0mmol_) in dry THF (100ml) at -20°C. After stirring a further 1 hour, volatiles were removed in vacuo and the residue taken up in ethyl acetate. After washing with 1.0MHCL (x3), the organic phase was dried (MgS04) and evaporated to give a white solid. The crude solid was dissolved in hot diethyl ether and filtered. Colourless crystals of the acid M deposited on standing (6.7g, 41%).

¹ HNMR (CDCL ₃ ) δ 0.8-1.0 (6H, m), 1.2-1.4 (3H, m), 2.1-2.4 (2H, m), 2.8-3.0 (1 H, m), 4.85 (2H, s), 7.3 (5H,bs), 8.6 (1 H, bs).

[4-N- vdroxvamino^-2R-isobutvlsuccinvll-L-vaiine-L-alanine amide

The acid M (502mg, 1.8mmoL) was dissolved in dry THF (20ml) and cooled to -20°C. Ethylchloroformate (245mg, 233μl, 1.8mmoL) and N-methyl morpholine was added and the suspension left for 1 hour at -20°C. A DMF solution (10ml) of L-valine-L-alanine amide (500mg) was added dropwise. Once the addition was completed the cooling bath was removed and the reaction allowed to warm up to room temperature overnight. The organic solution was poured into 10% HCI and extracted with ethyl acetate (x3). The organic layer was dried (MgSO^ and concentrated in vacuo to give a solid.

The solid was dissolved in degassed MeOH (20ml) and hydrogenolysed using 5% Pd-C and hydrogen gas. After 1 hour at RT the catalyst was filtered off and the product purified on RPHPLC using 0.1 %TFA/H2θ→

0.1%TFA/CH ₃ CN (43:57) isocratically to yield the title compound.

¹ HNMR (CDgOD) δ 0.95 (12H, m), 1.35 (3H, d, J=6Hz), 1.95 (3H, m), 2.20 (1 H, m), 2.35 (1 H, m) 2.85 (2H, m), 4.35 (2H, m)

The following compounds of Examples 1 -14 were prepared in a similar manner to the Reference Compound using the appropriate analogous starting materials

Example 1

[4-N-(Hydroxyamino)-2R-phenylethylsuccinyl]-L-leucine-N-( 2-phenylethyl) amide

¹ HNMR (CD ₃ OD) 7.15-7.30 (10H, mult, Ar); 4.40 (1 H, mult, NCHCO); 3.35- 3.55 (2H, mult, CH ₂ N); 2.20-2.85 (7H, mult, CHCO + CH ₂ Ar); 1.50-1.95 (5H, mult, CHC) 0.95 (6H, dd, CH3)

Example 2

[4-(N-Hydroxyamino)-2R-phenylpropylsuccinyl]-L-leucine-N- (2-phenylethyi) amide

¹ HNMR (CD ₃ OD) 7.1-7.3 (10H, mult, Ar); 4.30 (1 H, dd, NCHCO) 3.35 (2H, mult, CH ₂ N); 2.15-2.80 (7H, mult, CHCO+CH ₂ Ar); 1.5-1.75 (7H, mult, CHC); 0.95 (6H, dd, CH ₃ )

Example 3

[4-(N-Hydroxyamino)-2(R)-isobutylsuccinyl]-L-tryptophan amide

¹ HNMR (CD ₃ OD) δ 7.65 (1 H, d), 7.35 (1 H, d), 6.95-7.15 (3H, m), 4.65 (1 H, dd), 3.05-3.2 (1 H, m), 2.7-2.85 (2H, m), 2.0-2.2 (2H, m), 1.3-1.5 (2H, m) 1.05- 1.15 (1 H, m) 0.7 (3H, d), 0.65 (3H, d)

Example 4

[4-(N-Hydroxyamino) 2(R)-isobutylsuccinyl]-L-valine amide

¹ HNMR (CD ₃ OD) δ 4.15 (1 H, d) 2.8-2.9 (1 H, m) 2.2-2.35 (1 H, m) 1.95-2.15 (2H, m), 1.45-1.55 (2H, m) 1.1-1.2 (1H, m) 0.8-1.05 (12H, )

EXAMPLE A

The activity and selectivity of the compounds of the invention may be

determined as described below.

All enzyme assays to determine Ki values were performed using the peptide substrate Dnp-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Trp-Ala-D-Arg-NH ₂ . [M. Sharon Stock and Robert D. Gray. JBC 2 . 4277-81 , 1989). The enzymes cleave at the Gly- Leu bond which can be followed fluorimetrically by measuring the increase in Trp fluorescence emission associated with the removal of the quenching dinitrophenol (Dnp) group.

Essentially, enzyme (e.g. gelatinase, stromelysin, collagenase) at 0.08-2nM; a range of inhibitor concentrations (0.1-50 x Ki) and substrate (approx.

20μm) are incubated overnight in 0.1 M Tris/HCI buffer, pH 7.5, containing 0.1 M NaCI, 10mM CaC and 0.05%. Brij 35 at either room temperature or 37°C depending on the enzyme. The reaction is stopped by adjusting the pH to 4 using 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer and the fluorescence read at an excitation wavelength of 280nm and emission wavelength of 346nm.

K _j values can be established using the equation for tight-being inhibition:-

Vi = v ₀

( i(app) + [I] ² + 2 (K| _(a pp, - [l])[E] + [E] ² - (K _i(app) + [I] - [E]

2.E]

where V ₀ is the initial rate of reaction in the absence of inhibitor, V _j is the initial rate in the presence of inhibitor, [E] is the total enzyme concentration and [I] the total inhibitor concentration in the reaction mixture.

For stromelysin and collagenase, K _j (app) was assumed to approximate to the true Kj as [S] « K _m for the substrate hydrolysis. For gelatinase the K _j was determined by performing the analyses at several substrate

concentrations. A plot of K _j (app) vs. [S] then gave the true K _j as the value of the y-axis intercept.

The following results were obtained with compounds according to the invention.

Ki (nlW

Collagenase Stromelysin-1 Gelatinase -72KD

Reference Compound

303 129 33

Compound of Example 2

79 16 0.17