This invention is directed to aromatic sulfone hydroxamic acids (including hydroxamates)
and salts thereof that, inter alia, inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (also known
as "matrix metalloprotease" or "MMP") activity and/or aggrecanase activity. This
invention also is directed to a prevention or 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 and/or aggrecanase activity.
