Amino acid amides of 1,3,4-thiadiazoles as matrix metalloproteinase

A method of inhibiting a matrix metalloproteinase, comprising contacting the matrix metalloproteinase with an inhibitory amount of a compound represented by the following structural formula:

• ##STR4## wherein:
• Q and A are each independently selected from the group consisting of sulfur and oxygen and at least one of Q and A is sulfur;
• n is a positive integer which results in a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor;
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of --H, lower alkyl and acyl;
• each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 straight or branched alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 straight or branched substituted alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 cyclic alkyl, substituted C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 cyclic alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 straight or branched alkenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 straight or branched substituted alkenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 straight or branched alkynyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 straight or branched substituted alkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl;
• R3 is selected from the group consisting of an amine protecting group X--CO--, X--CS--, X--SO.sub.2 --, X--O--CO-- and X--O--CS--;
• X is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl and substituted heteroaryl;
• or
• a physiologically active salt thereof.

A method for treating an individual with a disease, wherein said disease is ameliorated by inhibiting at least one matrix metalloproteinase enzyme, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound represented by the following structural formula:

• ##STR5## wherein:
• Q and A are each independently selected from the group consisting of sulfur and oxygen and at least one of Q and A is sulfur;
• n is a positive integer which results in a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor;
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of --H, lower alkyl and acyl;
• each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 straight or branched alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 straight or branched substituted alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 cyclic alkyl, substituted C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 cyclic alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 straight or branched alkenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 straight or branched substituted alkenyl, straight or branched alkynyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 straight or branched substituted alkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl;
• R3 is selected from the group consisting of an amine protecting group X--CO--, X--CS--, X--SO.sub.2 --, X--O--CO-- and X--O--CS--;
• X is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl and substituted heteroaryl;
• or a physiologically active salt thereof.