The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are caspase inhibitors, in particular interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”) inhibitors. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting caspase activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-&ggr; inducing factor-(IGIF), or interferon-&ggr;-(“IFN-&ggr;”) mediated diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting caspase activity and decreasing IGIF production and IFN-&ggr; production and methods for treating interleukin-1, apoptosis-, and interferon-&ggr;-mediated diseases using the compounds and compositions of this invention. This invention also relates to methods of preparing the compounds of this invention.
本发明涉及一种新型化合物类,这些化合物是caspase
抑制剂,特别是白细胞介素-1β
转化酶(“ICE”)
抑制剂。本发明还涉及包含这些化合物的制药组合物。本发明的化合物和制药组合物特别适用于抑制caspase活性,因此可能有利用作为抗白细胞介素-1(“IL-1”)、凋亡、干扰素-γ诱导因子(IGIF)或干扰素-γ(“IFN-γ”)介导的疾病的药剂,包括炎症性疾病、自身免疫性疾病、破坏性骨疾病、增生性疾病、感染性疾病和退行性疾病。本发明还涉及通过使用本发明的化合物和组合物来抑制caspase活性、降低IGIF和IFN-γ的产生以及治疗白细胞介素-1、凋亡和干扰素-γ介导的疾病的方法。本发明还涉及制备本发明化合物的方法。