This invention is directed to aromatic sulfone hydroxamates (also known as aromatic sulfone hydroxamic acids) and salts thereof that, inter alia, tend to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (also known as matrix metalloprotease or MMP) activity and/or aggrecanase activity. This invention also is directed to a treatment method that comprises administering such a compound or salt in an MMP-inhibiting and/or aggrecanase-inhibiting effective amount to an animal, particularly a mammal having (or disposed to having) a pathological condition associated with MMP activity and/or aggrecanase activity.