The present application describes novel cyclic sulfone derivatives of formula
I:
##STR1##
or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug forms thereof, which are useful
as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), TNF- converting enzyme
(TACE), aggrecanase, or a combination thereof. In formula I, A is selected from
—COR5, —CO2H, —CO2R6,
—C(O)NHOH, —C(O)NHOR5, —C(O)NHOR6, —NHRa,
—N(OH)COR5, —N(OH)CHO, —SH, —CH2SH,
—S(O)(NH)Ra, —S(NH)2Ra,
—SC(O)Ra, —PO(OH)2, and —PO(OH)NHRa;
B is a thiomorpholine ring; X is absent or is CR3R4; and
Ua, Xa, Ya, Za, R1, R2,
Rb, and q are defined in the present specification.