New urokinase inhibitors having a triisopropylphenylsulfonyl residue as an Nα-substituent for 3-amidinophenylalanine are provided. The introduction of the triisopropylphenylsulfonyl residue greatly increases the affinity of the compounds to urokinase and, thereby, increases their inhibitory activity against urokinase. These urokinase inhibitors are useful in determining the role of urokinase and urokinase receptor in various diseases, particularly in tumor propagation and metastasis. Methods of treating tumors and a pharmaceutical composition are also provided.
The invention relates to the use of derivatives of 3-amidinophenylalanine as urokinase inhibitors for treating malignant tumors and the formation of metastases.