Tricyclic spiro-oxindole derivatives and their uses as therapeutic agents

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a compound of formula (I):

• wherein
• j, k and w are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• q is 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• m is 0, 1 or 2 when n is 0;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 when n is 1;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 when n is 2;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 when n is 3;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 when n is 4;
• Q is —C(R1a)2—, —O—, —N(R5)—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• X is O or S;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• when n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)—, —O—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)—, —N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• when n is 0, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)— or —CF2—;
• each R1a is hydrogen or —OR5;
• each R1 is halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocycloalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2) or —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2);
• each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(═N—CN)N(R4)R5;
• and wherein each of the cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl groups for each R2 may be independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —N(R5)C(O)R4 and —N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2);
• or two adjacent R2 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(N═C(R4)R5)N(R4)R5;
• or two adjacent R3 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R4 and R5 is independently selected from group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl;
• or when R4 and R5 are each attached to the same nitrogen atom, then R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are both attached, form a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl;
• and
• each R8 is a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene chain, a straight or branched alkenylene chain or a straight or branched alkynylene chain;
• as a stereoisomer, enantiomer, tautomer thereof or mixtures thereof;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof.

A method of treating, preventing or ameliorating a disease or a condition in a mammal selected from the group consisting of pain, depression, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and psychiatric diseases, and combinations thereof, wherein the method comprises administering to the mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I):

• wherein
• j, k and w are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• q is 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• m is 0, 1 or 2 when n is 0;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 when n is 1;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 when n is 2;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 when n is 3;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 when n is 4;
• Q is —C(R1a)2—, —O—, —N(R5)—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• X is O or S;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• when n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)—, —O—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)—, —N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• when n is 0, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)— or —CF2—;
• each R1a is hydrogen or —OR5;
• each R1 is halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocycloalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2) or —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2);
• each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(═N—CN)N(R4)R5;
• and wherein each of the cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl groups for each R2 may be independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —N(R5)C(O)R4 and —N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2);
• or two adjacent R2 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(N═C(R4)R5)N(R4)R5;
• or two adjacent R3 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R4 and R5 is independently selected from group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, and heteroarylalkyl;
• or when R4 and R5 are each attached to the same nitrogen atom, then R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are both attached, form a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl;
• and
• each R8 is a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene chain, a straight or branched alkenylene chain or a straight or branched alkynylene chain;
• as a stereoisomer, enantiomer, tautomer thereof or mixtures thereof;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof.

A method of treating pain through inhibition of ion flux through a voltage-dependent sodium channel in a mammal, wherein the method comprises administering to the mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I):

• wherein
• j, k and w are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• q is 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• m is 0, 1 or 2 when n is 0;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 when n is 1;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 when n is 2;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 when n is 3;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 when n is 4;
• Q is —C(R1a)2—, —O—, —N(R5)—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• X is O or S;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• when n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)—, —O—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)—, —N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• when n is 0, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)— or —CF2—;
• each R1a is hydrogen or —OR5;
• each R1 is halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocycloalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2) or —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2);
• each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(═N—CN)N(R4)R5;
• and wherein each of the cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl groups for each R2 may be independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —N(R5)C(O)R4 and —N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2);
• or two adjacent R2 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(N═C(R4)R5)N(R4)R5;
• or two adjacent R3 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R4 and R5 is independently selected from group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl;
• or when R4 and R5 are each attached to the same nitrogen atom, then R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are both attached, form a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl;
• and
• each R8 is a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene chain, a straight or branched alkenylene chain or a straight or branched alkynylene chain;
• as a stereoisomer, enantiomer, tautomer thereof or mixtures thereof;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof.

A method of decreasing ion flux through a voltage-dependent sodium channel in a cell in a mammal, wherein the method comprises contacting the cell with a compound of formula (I):

• wherein
• j, k and w are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• q is 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• m is 0, 1 or 2 when n is 0;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 when n is 1;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 when n is 2;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 when n is 3;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 when n is 4;
• Q is —C(R1a)2—, —O—, —N(R5)—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• X is O or S;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• when n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)—, —O—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)—, —N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• when n is 0, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)— or —CF2—;
• each R1a is hydrogen or —OR5;
• each R1 is halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocycloalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2) or —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2);
• each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4—R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(═N—CN)N(R4)R5;
• and wherein each of the cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl groups for each R2 may be independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —N(R5)C(O)R4 and —N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2);
• or two adjacent R2 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(N═C(R4)R5)N(R4)R5;
• or two adjacent R3 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R4 and R5 is independently selected from group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl;
• or when R4 and R5 are each attached to the same nitrogen atom, then R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are both attached, form a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl;
• and
• each R8 is a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene chain, a straight or branched alkenylene chain or a straight or branched alkynylene chain;
• as a stereoisomer, enantiomer, tautomer thereof or mixtures thereof;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof.

A method of treating or preventing hypercholesterolemia in a mammal, wherein the method comprises administering to the mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I):

• wherein
• j, k and w are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• q is 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• m is 0, 1 or 2 when n is 0;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 when n is 1;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 when n is 2;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 when n is3;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 when n is 4;
• Q is —C(R1a)2—, —O—, —N(R5)—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• X is O or S;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• when n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)—, —O—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)—, —N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• when n is 0, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)— or —CF2—;
• each R1a is hydrogen or —OR5;
• each R1 is halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocycloalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2) or —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2);
• each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(═N—CN)N(R4)R5;
• and wherein each of the cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl groups for each R2 may be independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —N(R5)C(O)R4 and —N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2);
• or two adjacent R2 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(N═C(R4)R5)N(R4)R5;
• or two adjacent R3 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R4 and R5 is independently selected from group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl;
• or when R4 and R5 are each attached to the same nitrogen atom, then R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are both attached, form a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl;
• and
• each R8 is a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene chain, a straight or branched alkenylene chain or a straight or branched alkynylene chain;
• as a stereoisomer, enantiomer, tautomer thereof or mixtures thereof;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof.

A method of treating or preventing benign prostatic hyperplasia in a mammal, wherein the methods comprises administering to the mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I):

• wherein
• j, k and w are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• q is 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• m is 0, 1 or 2 when n is 0;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 when n is 1;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 when n is 2;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 when n is 3;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 when n is 4;
• Q is —C(R1a)2—, —O—, —N(R5)—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• X is O or S;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• when n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)—, —O—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)—, —N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• when n is 0, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)— or —CF2—;
• each R1a is hydrogen or —OR5;
• each R1 is halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocycloalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2) or —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2);
• each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4—R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(═N—CN)N(R4)R5;
• and wherein each of the cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl groups for each R2 may be independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—C(O)R4—R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —N(R5)C(O)R4 and —N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2);
• or two adjacent R2 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4—R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(N═C(R4)R5)N(R4)R5;
• or two adjacent R3 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R4 and R5 is independently selected from group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl;
• or when R4 and R5 are each attached to the same nitrogen atom, then R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are both attached, form a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl;
• and
• each R8 is a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene chain, a straight or branched alkenylene chain or a straight or branched alkynylene chain;
• as a stereoisomer, enantiomer, tautomer thereof or mixtures thereof;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof.

A method of treating or preventing pruritis in a mammal, wherein the methods comprises administering to the mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I):

• wherein
• j, k and w are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• q is 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• m is 0, 1 or 2 when n is 0;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 when n is 1;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 when n is 2;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 when n is 3;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 when n is 4;
• Q is —C(R1a)2—, —O—, —N(R5)—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• X is O or S;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• when n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)—, —O—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)—, —N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• when n is 0, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)— or —CF2—;
• each R1a is hydrogen or —OR5;
• each R1 is halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocycloalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2) or —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2);
• each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(═N—CN)N(R4)R5;
• and wherein each of the cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl groups for each R2 may be independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —N(R5)C(O)R4 and —N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2);
• or two adjacent R2 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(N═C(R4)R5)N(R4)R5;
• or two adjacent R3 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R4 and R5 is independently selected from group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl;
• or when R4 and R5 are each attached to the same nitrogen atom, then R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are both attached, form a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl;
• and
• each R8 is a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene chain, a straight or branched alkenylene chain or a straight or branched alkynylene chain;
• as a stereoisomer, enantiomer, tautomer thereof or mixtures thereof;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof.

A method of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal, wherein the methods comprises administering to the mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I):

• wherein
• j, k and w are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• q is 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• m is 0, 1 or 2 when n is 0;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 when n is 1;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 when n is 2;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 when n is 3;
• or m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 when n is 4;
• Q is —C(R1a)2—, —O—, —N(R5)—, —S(O)p— (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• X is O or S;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• is a fused aryl ring, a fused heterocyclyl ring or a fused heteroaryl ring;
• when n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)—, —O—, —S(O)P (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —CF2—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R5)—, —N(R5)— or —N(R5)C(O)—;
• when n is 0, Y is —C(R1a)2—, —C(O)— or —CF2—;
• each R1a is hydrogen or —OR5;
• each R1 is halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocycloalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2) or —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2);
• each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(═N—CN)N(R4)R5;
• and wherein each of the cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl groups for each R2 may be independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —N(R5)C(O)R4 and —N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2);
• or two adjacent R2 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, —R8—CN, —R8—NO2, —R8—OR5, —R8—N(R4)R5, —R8—N═C(R4)R5, —R8—S(O)pR4 (where p is 0, 1 or 2), —R8—OS(O)2CF3, —R8—C(O)R4, —R8—C(S)R4, —R8—C(O)OR4, —R8—C(S)OR4, —R8—C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(O)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)R4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(S)OR4, —R8—N(R5)C(O)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)C(S)N(R4)R5, —R8—N(R5)S(O)tR4 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—S(O)tN(R4)R5 (where t is 1 or 2), —R8—N(R5)C(═NR5)N(R4)R5 and —R8—N(R5)C(N═C(R4)R5)N(R4)R5;
• or two adjacent R3 together with the carbon ring atoms to which they are directly attached, may form a fused ring selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl;
• each R4 and R5 is independently selected from group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl;
• or when R4 and R5 are each attached to the same nitrogen atom, then R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are both attached, form a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl;
• and
• each R8 is a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene chain, a straight or branched alkenylene chain or a straight or branched alkynylene chain;
• as a stereoisomer, enantiomer, tautomer thereof or mixtures thereof;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof.