The present invention is directed to compounds that are inhibitors of
cysteine proteases, in particular, cathepsins B, K, L, F, and S and are
therefore useful in treating diseases mediated by these proteases. The
present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions
comprising these compounds and processes for preparing them. The present
invention is also directed to the use of these inhibitors in combination
with a therapy that causes a deleterious immune response in patients
receiving the therapy.