EP1081137A1 — Selective inhibitors of aggrecanase in osteoarthritis treatment

USPTO Abstract

This invention relates to a method of treatment for osteoarthritis involving inhibitors of aggrecanase that demonstrate IC 50 s of less than 20 nM and demonstrate differential potency against matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs or reprolysins). This invention also relates to compounds, methods of treatment and composition of Formula I: or a therapeutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X is carbon or nitrogen; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, and methyl, wherein at least one of R 1 and R 2 is methyl; R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, and methyl, or R 3 and R 4 may be taken together to form a carbonyl group; and R 5 and R 6 are independent substituents in the ortho, meta, or para positions and are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, cyano, methyl, and ethyl; with the provisos: when X is carbon, then R 7 and R 8 are both hydrogen and at least one of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is hydroxy; when X is carbon and R 5 is para-halo, then at least one of R 6 , R 3 , and R 4 is not hydrogen; when X is nitrogen, then R 8 is not present and R 7 is hydrogen or a group of the formula: wherein, Y is -CH 2 -NH 2 or -NH-CH 3 ; and when X is nitrogen and R 7 is H, then R 3 and R 4 are taken together to form a carbonyl group.