AU707675B2 - Methods of inhibiting musculoaponeurotic fibromatoses (desmoid tumors) - Google Patents

Description

WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 -1- METHODS OF INHIBITING MUSCULOAPONEUROTIC

FIBROMATOSES

(DESMOID TUMORS) Background of the Invention The musculoaponeurotic fibromatoses are a group of nonmetastasizing, locally invasive dysplastic lesions of connective tissue. Included in this group are nodular fasciitis, plantar fibromatosis, and the lesions previously classified as desmoid tumors.

Most of the "desmoid" lesions involve skeletal muscle and associated fascial layers. They most frequently occur in women, in the abdominal wall, during or following pregnancy, but they are almost as common in men and in extra-abdominal sites, including the head and neck, thigh, and shoulder.

Lesions occasionally arise in surgical scars and in the mesenteries, and a familial from is associated with Gardner's syndrome. Wide excision with a margin of normal tissue is the recommended treatment. However, extremities and major vessels and nerves should be spared even if recurrence is likely. Local recurrences are common, and re-excision is often required. These lesions may also respond to radiation therapy. Some cases have responded to treatment with tamoxifen. However, there is still need for additionaltherapies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides methods for inhibiting musculoaponeurotic fibromatoses in mammals by administering to the mammal in need thereof of an effective amount of a compound of formula I.

WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 -2-

OCH

2 CH2 -R 2 I2 OR' RiO S

(I)

wherein R 1 and R 3 are independently hydrogen, O

O

II II

-CH

3 -C-(Ci-C 6 alkyl) or -C-Ar wherein Ar is optionally substituted phenyl;

R

2 is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidino, hexamethyleneimino, and piperidino; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The current invention concerns the discovery that a select group of 2 -phenyl-3-aroylbenzothiophenes (benzothiophenes), those of formula I, are useful for inhibiting musculoaponeurotic fibromatoses.

The methods of use provided by this invention are practiced by administering to a human in need thereof a dose of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, that is effective to inhibit musculoaponeurotic fibromatoses. The term "inhibit" includes its generally accepted meaning which includes prohibiting, preventing, restraining, and slowing, stopping, or reversing progression, severity, or a resultant symptom or effect.

Raloxifene, a compound of this invention wherein it is the hydrochloride salt of a compound of formula 1, R 1 and R 3 are hydrogen and R 2 is 1-piperidinyl, is a nuclear WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 -3regulatory molecule. Raloxifene has been shown to bind to the estrogen receptor and was originally thought to be a molecule whose function and pharmacology was that of an anti-estrogen in that it blocked the ability of estrogen to activate uterine tissue and estrogen dependent breast cancers. Indeed, raloxifene does block the action of estrogen in some cells; however in other cell types, raloxifene activates the same genes as estrogen does and displays the same pharmacology, osteoporosis, hyperlipidemia. As a result, raloxifene has been referred to as an anti-estrogen with mixed agonist-antagonist properties. The unique profile which raloxifene displays and differs from that of estrogen is now thought to be due to the unique activation and/or suppression of various gene functions by the raloxifene-estrogen receptor complex as opposed to the activation and/or suppression of genes by the estrogen-estrogen receptor complex. Therefore, although raloxifene and estrogen utilize and compete for the same receptor, the pharmacological outcome from gene regulation of the two is not easily predicted and is unique to each.

Generally, the compound is formulated with common excipients, diluents or carriers, and compressed into tablets, or formulated as elixirs or solutions for convenient oral administration, or administered by the intramuscular or intravenous routes. The compounds can be administered transdermally, and may be formulated as sustained release dosage forms and the like.

The compounds used in the methods of the current invention can be made according to established procedures, such as those detailed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,133,814, 4,418,068, and 4,380,635 all of which are incorporated by reference herein. In general, the process starts with a benzo[b]thiophene having a 6-hydroxyl group and a 2-(4hydroxyphenyl) group. The starting compound is protected, acylated, and deprotected to form the formula I compounds.

WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 -4- Examples of the preparation of such compounds are provided in the U.S. patents discussed above. Optionally substituted phenyl includes phenyl and phenyl substituted once or twice with C 1

-C

6 alkyl, C 1

-C

4 alkoxy, hydroxy, nitro, chloro, fluoro, or tri(chloro or fluoro)methyl.

The compounds used in the methods of this invention form pharmaceutically acceptable acid and base addition salts with a wide variety of organic and inorganic acids and bases and include the physiologically acceptable salts which are often used in pharmaceutical chemistry.

Such salts are also part of this invention. Typical inorganic acids used to form such salts include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, nitric, sulfuric, phosphoric, hypophosphoric and the like. Salts derived from organic acids, such as aliphatic mono and dicarboxylic acids, phenyl substituted alkanoic acids, hydroxyalkanoic and hydroxyalkandioic acids, aromatic acids, aliphatic and aromatic sulfonic acids, may also be used. Such pharmaceutically acceptable salts thus include acetate, phenylacetate, trifluoroacetate, acrylate, ascorbate, benzoate, chlorobenzoate, dinitrobenzoate, hydroxybenzoate, methoxybenzoate, methylbenzoate, o-acetoxybenzoate, naphthalene-2-benzoate, bromide, isobutyrate, phenylbutyrate, 9-hydroxybutyrate, butyne-1,4-dioate, hexyne-1,4-dioate, caprate, caprylate, chloride, cinnamate, citrate, formate, fumarate, glycollate, heptanoate, hippurate, lactate, malate, maleate, hydroxymaleate, malonate, mandelate, mesylate, nicotinate, isonicotinate, nitrate, oxalate, phthalate, terephthalate, phosphate, monohydrogenphosphate, dihydrogenphosphate, metaphosphate, pyrophosphate, propiolate, propionate, phenylpropionate, salicylate, sebacate, succinate, suberate, sulfate, bisulfate, pyrosulfate, sulfite, bisulfite, sulfonate, benzene-sulfonate, p-bromophenylsulfonate, chlorobenzenesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, 2hydroxyethanesulfonate, methanesulfonate, naphthalene-l- WO 97/26878 PCT[US97/02287 sulfonate, naphthalene-2-sulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, xylenesulfonate, tartarate, and the like. A preferred salt is the hydrochloride salt.

The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts are typically formed by reacting a compound of formula I with an equimolar or excess amount of acid. The reactants are generally combined in a mutual solvent such as diethyl ether or benzene. The salt normally precipitates out of solution within about one hour to days and can be isolated by filtration or the solvent can be stripped off by conventional means.

Bases commonly used for formation of salts include ammonium hydroxide and alkali and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, carbonates, as well as aliphatic and primary, secondary and tertiary amines, aliphatic diamines.

Bases especially useful in the preparation of addition salts include ammonium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, methylamine, diethylamine, ethylene diamine and cyclohexylamine.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts generally have enhanced solubility characteristics compared to the compound from which they are derived, and thus are often more amenable to formulation as liquids or emulsions.

Pharmaceutical formulations can be prepared by procedures known in the art. For example, the compounds can be formulated with common excipients, diluents, or carriers, and formed into tablets, capsules, suspensions, powders, and the like. Examples of excipients, diluents, and carriers that are suitable for such formulations include the following: fillers and extenders such as starch, sugars, mannitol, and silicic derivatives; binding agents such as carboxymethyl cellulose and other cellulose derivatives, alginates, gelatin, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone; moisturizing agents such as glycerol; disintegrating agents such as calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate; agents for retarding dissolution such as paraffin; resorption WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 -6accelerators such as quaternary ammonium compounds; surface active agents such as cetyl alcohol, glycerol monostearate; adsorptive carriers such as kaolin and bentonite; and lubricants such as talc, calcium and magnesium stearate, and solid polyethyl glycols.

The compounds can also be formulated as elixirs or solutions for convenient oral administration or as solutions appropriate for parenteral administration, for instance by intramuscular, subcutaneous or intravenous routes. Additionally, the compounds are well suited to formulation as sustained release dosage forms and the like.

The formulations can be so constituted that they release the active ingredient only or preferably in a particular part of the intestinal tract, possibly over a period of time. The coatings, envelopes, and protective matrices may be made, for example, from polymeric substances or waxes.

The particular dosage of a compound of formula I required to inhibit musculoaponeurotic fibromatoses, or any other use disclosed herein, and according to this invention will depend upon the severity of the condition, the route of administration, and related factors that will be decided by the attending physician. Generally, accepted and effective daily doses will be from about 0.1 to about 1000 mg/day, and more typically from about 50 to about 200 mg/day. Such dosages will be administered to a subject in need thereof from once to about three times each day, or more often as needed to effectively inhibit musculoaponeurotic fibromatoses.

It is usually preferred to administer a compound of formula I in the form of an acid addition salt, as is customary in the administration of pharmaceuticals bearing a basic group, such as the piperidino ring. It is also advantageous to administer such a compound by the oral route. For such purposes the following oral dosage forms are available.

WO 97/26878 PCTIUS97/02287 -7- For topical administration, the compounds may be formulated as is known in the art for direct application to an area. Conventional forms for this purpose include ointments, lotions, pastes, jellies, sprays, and aerosols.

The percent by weight of a compound of the invention present in a topical formulation will depend on various factors, but generally will be from 0.5% to 95% of the total weight of the formulation, and typically 1-25% by weight.

The compositions can take the form of an aqueous or anhydrous solution or dispersion, or alternatively the form of an emulsion or suspension.

These compositions can contain pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles and adjuvants which are well known in the prior art. It is possible, for example, to prepare solutions using one or more organic solvent(s) that is/are acceptable from the physiological standpoint, chosen, in addition to water, from solvents such as acetone, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, glycol ethers such as the products sold under the name "Dowanol", polyglycols and polyethylene glycols, C 1

-C

4 alkyl esters of short-chain acids, preferably ethyl or isopropyl lactate, fatty acid triglycerides such as the products marketed under the name "Miglyol", isopropyl myristate, animal, mineral and vegetable oils and polysiloxanes.

The compositions according to the invention can also contain thickening agents such as cellulose and/or cellulose derivatives. They can also contain gums such as xanthan, guar or carob gum or gum arabic, or alternatively polyethylene glycols, bentones and montmorillonites, and the like.

The galenical forms chiefly conditioned for topical application take the form of creams, milks, gels, dispersions or microemulsions, lotions thickened to a greater or lesser extent, impregnated pads, ointments or sticks, or alternatively the form of aerosol formulations WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 -8in spray or foam form or alternatively in the form of a cake of soap.

Formulations In the formulations which follow, "Active ingredient" means a compound of formula I.

Formulation 1: Gelatin Capsules Hard gelatin capsules are prepared using the following: Ingredient Quantity (mg/capsule) Active ingredient 0.1 1000 Starch, NF 0 650 Starch flowable powder 0 650 Silicone fluid 350 centistokes 0 The ingredients are blended, passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve, and filled into hard gelatin capsules.

Examples of specific capsule formulations of raloxifene that have been made include those shown below: Formulation 2: Raloxifene capsule Ingredient Quantity (mg/capsule) Raloxifene 1 Starch, NF 112 Starch flowable powder 225.3 Silicone fluid 350 centistokes 1.7 WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 -9- Formulation 3: Raloxifene capsule Ingredient Quantity (mg/capsule) Raloxifene Starch, NF 108 Starch flowable powder 225.3 Silicone fluid 350 centistokes 1.7 Formulation 4: Raloxifene capsule Ingredient Quantity (mq/capsule) Raloxifene Starch, NF 103 Starch flowable powder 225.3 Silicone fluid 350 centistokes 1.7 Formulation 5: Raloxifene capsule Ingredient Quantity (mg/capsule) Raloxifene Starch, NF 150 Starch flowable powder 397 Silicone fluid 350 centistokes The specific formulations above may be changed in compliance with the reasonable variations provided.

A tablet formulation is prepared using the ingredients below: WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 Formulation 6: Tablets Ingredient Quantity (mg/tablet) Active ingredient 0.1 1000 Cellulose, microcrystalline 0 650 Silicon dioxide, fumed 0 650 Stearate acid 0 The components are blended and compressed to form tablets.

Alternatively, tablets each containing 0.1 1000 mg of active ingredient are made up as follows: Formulation 7: Tablets Ingredient Quantity (mg/tablet) Active ingredient 0.1 1000 Starch Cellulose, microcrystalline Polyvinylpyrrolidone 4 (as 10% solution in water) Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Magnesium stearate Talc 1 The active ingredient, starch, and cellulose are passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed thoroughly. The solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone is mixed with the resultant powders which are then passed through a No. 14 mesh U.S. sieve. The granules so produced are dried at 500-60° C and passed through a No. 18 mesh U.S. sieve.

The sodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate, and talc, previously passed through a No. 60 U.S. sieve, are then added to the granules which, after mixing, are compressed on a tablet machine to yield tablets.

Suspensions each containing 0.1 1000 mg of medicament per 5 mL dose are made as follows: WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 -11- Formulation 8: Suspensions Inaredient "1 I. y~uant t km M- m) Active ingredient Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Syrup Benzoic acid solution Flavor Color Purified water to 0.1 1000 mg 50 mg 1.25 mg 0.10 mL q.v.

q.v.

5 mL l mL The medicament is passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed with the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and syrup to form a smooth paste. The benzoic acid solution, flavor, and color are diluted with some of the water and added, with stirring. Sufficient water is then added to produce the required volume.

The following topical compositions are prepared: Formulation 9 Ingredient Quantity (mg/5 ml) Hydroxypropylcellulose 1.5 g Active Ingredient 1.5-30 g Isopropanol qs 100 1 Formulation Ingredient Quantity (mg/5 ml) Hydroxypropylcellulose 1.5 g Ethyl lactate 15.0 g Active Ingredient 1.5-30 g Isopropanol qs 100 g WO 97/26878 WO 9726878PCT[US97/02287 -12- Formulatioii 11 .1ngredient Quantity (mg/5 ml) Hydroxypropylcel lulose 1.0 g Butylated hydroxytoluene 0.02 g Active Ingredient 1.5-25 g Ethanol gs 100 g Formulation 12 Ingredient Quantity (mg/5 ml) HydroxypropylCellulose 1.5 g Butylated hydroxytoluene 0.01 g

C

8

-C

1 2 fatty acid triglycerides 10.0 g Active Ingredient 1.5-30 g Isopropanol gs 100 Formulations 9-12 take the form of gels.

Form-ulation 13 Ingredient Quantity (mg/5 ml) Isopropanol 46.0 g Active Ingredient 1.0-15 g

C

8

-C

1

C

2 fatty acid triglycerides 49.0 g Formulation .14 Ingredient Quantity (mgI5 ml) Ethanol 69.0 g Ethyl lactate 10.0 g Active Ingredient 1.5-20 g

CI-C

1 2 fatty acid triglycerides 30.0g WO 97/26878 PCTIS97/02287 -13- Formulation Ingredient Quantity (mg/5 ml) Isopropanol 47.0 g Acetone 10.0 g Ethyl lactate 10.0 g Active Ingredient 1-15 g

C

8

-C

12 fatty acid triglycerides 30.0 g.

Formulation 16 Ingredient Quantity (mg/5 ml) Ethanol 95.08 g Butylated hydroxytoluene 0.02 g Active Ingredient 1.5-25 g Formulations 13, 14, 15, and 16 take the form of lotions.

Formulation 17 Ingredient Quantity (mg/5 ml) White vaseline 50.0 g Liquid paraffin 15.0 g Refined paraffin wax 32.0 g Active Ingredient 1-20 g Formulation 18 Ingredient Quantity (mg/5 ml) White vaseline 50.0 g Liquid paraffin 13.0 g Refined paraffin wax 32.0 g Active Ingredient 1-20 g Formulations 17 and 18 take the form of sticks WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 -14- Desmoid tumors are rare non metastatic tumors of fibrous origin. Clinical correlates suggest that steroid hormones may have a role in the natural history of these tumors: it is predominantly seen in female patients of child-bearing age and regression of these tumors have been associated with menopause or with antiestrogen therapy.

The aim of this work was to identify estrogen receptors in desmoid tumor primary cells, and to evaluate the effect of a compound of formula I on desmoid cells in primary culture.

Because sometimes desmoid tumors develop in patients with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), that can degenerate in colon or rectal cancer, we have tested the inhibitory effect of Compound Ia on cellular growth of an adenocarcinoma cell line, (HCT8), and fibroblasts from colon cancer bioptic specimens.

Compound Ia is a compound of formula I wherein R 2 is pyrrolidino, and R 1 and R 3 are hydrogen.

Binding studies are performed using intact cells. Desmoid cells are plated on 6-well plates in growth medium (Coon's modified Ham's F12 supplemented with FCS). After 24 hours, the growth medium is substituted with steady state medium without phenol red, and cells are maintained in starvation for 24 hours. Then cells are incubated for one hour with 1 ml of medium without phenol red containing 25 mM HEPES and 0.5% EtOH (binding buffer) and increasing concentrations (0.05- 10 nM) of 3 H]l77E2 with or without a 500-fold excess of unlabeled 17E2 and Compound Ia. After incubation, cells are washed two times with 800 il of binding buffer and lysed with 1N NaOH at 0 C for 30 minutes. Four N HC1 is then added to each well for neutralization. Radioactivity is measured by liquid scintillation spectroscopy. ER binding affinity and binding capacity are evaluated by Scatchard analysis.

All subsequent steps are performed at 0-4 0

C.

The pulverized tissue is homogenized with two 10-sec burst WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 in a polytron homogenizer separated by a 30-sec cooling period in the following buffer: 10 mM Tris-HCl, 5 mM EDTA, mM sodium molybdate, 10 mM dithiothreitol, 10% glycerol pH 7.4. The homogenate is centrifuged at 7000 g for 20 min and the pellet is discarded, the supernatant was recentrifuged at 105000 g for 60 min to obtain cytosol for estrogen receptor analysis. Cytosol is diluted to 1-2 mg protein/ml. Cytosol protein is determined according to the method of Bradford. For estrogen receptor assessment, cytosol is incubated for 16 hr at 4°C over a concentration range of 0.05-5 nM of 3 H]17ZE 2 with or without a 500-fold excess of unlabeled 17SE2 and Compound Ia. ER binding affinity and binding capacity are evaluated by Scatchard analysis.

Cells are plated on 6 well plates at a density of 8x10 4 cell for well in growth medium. After 24 hours, the cells are stimulated in growth medium without phenol red supplemented with 0.1% DMF, 0.1% EtOH, and different concentrations of Compound Ia (2x10- 5 M, 10-5M, 5x10- 6

M,

10-6M).

Cells are incubated six days, detached with trypsin/ethylenediamine tetracetic acid solution and then the growth is evaluated by counting to the microscope. The same method is used for colon cancer primary fibroblasts cell line and for HCT8 cell line: this line is cultured in RPMI and incubated 4 days after stimulation.

Collagen type I in culture media and cell layers are measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA).

Briefly, cells are incubated for 24 hrs in supplement-free Coon's modified Ham F12 medium containing 50g/ml ascorbic acid and 100g/ml Saminopropionitryl fumarate.

Culture media are harvested and appropriately diluted in 0.1 M carbonate/bicarbonate buffer (pH 9.6) and then used for coating the ELISA plates, overnight at 4 C ELISA plates are incubated 1.5 hrs at 37 0 C in PBS containing 5% of milk powder (PBS Blotto) to saturate non WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 -16specific binding sites, 2 hrs at 37 0 C with PBS Blotto containing the specific polyclonal antibody, and 1.5 hrs at 37 0 C in PBS Blotto containing goat antirabbit IgG-alkaline phosphatase conjugated complex (Sigma Chemical Co., St.

Louis, MO).

Samples are then exposed to 10% diethanolamine (pH 9.8) with 50jg/ml Mg++ and 1 mg/ml paranitrophenylphosphate as a substrate of alkaline phosphatase at room temperature. Optical density is read at 405 nM, and concentrations calculated on the basis of the standard curve. Cell monolayers are harvested in 0.5 N NaOH and sonicated to determine cellular Collagen type I. Cell extracts are then diluted in 0.1 M carbonate/bicarbonate buffer (pH 9.6) and used for the coating of the ELISA plates. Standards and samples are assayed in triplicate.

Results are expressed as gg protein/Gig cellular DNA. DNA content is spectrofluorimetrically measured.

Binding experiments are performed using 3 H]17SE 2 as ligand in primary desmoid tumors cells and in frozen specimens of desmoid tumor.

In both experiments, 3 H]17E2 binding was slightly (approximately 10%) displaced by 500-fold excess of both unlabeled estrogen and Compound Ia. Scatchard analysis of 3 H]17~E 2 binding data using the computer binding program LIGAND (Munson Rodbard D. Anal.

Biochem. 1980; 107:220-39.) shows the presence of ER in three different cultures and in two different cytosol preparation from bioptic specimens of desmoid tumors.

In the growth assay, desmoid tumors primary cells are stimulated when exposed to various concentrations of Compound Ia. The result is a cellular growth inhibition with increasing Compound Ia concentrations (Table 1).

Similar results are obtained with the HCT8 cell line (Table 2) and with a colon cancer fibroblastic cell line (Table 3).

WO 97/26878 PCT/US97/02287 -17- Desmoid cells are inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by Compound Ia at concentrations of 10-5M, 5x10- 6

M,

10-6M, with maximal inhibitory effect at 10-5M concentration (Table 4).

Compound Ia is able to displace 178E 2 binding to desmoid tissue only at very high concentrations (500-fold excess).

Compound Ia is able to significantly inhibit desmoid cell proliferation at micromolar concentrations.

In addition, at similar concentrations the compound inhibits the proliferation of epithelial and fibroblastic cells derived from human colon cancer.

Type I collagen production is also significantly reduced in desmoid cell in primary culture by the Compound Ia.

At all the conditions (electroporation, Ca/P precipitation, lyposomes) tested for transfection of desmoid cells with the estrogen responsive elements, the cells are damaged, resulting not suitable for "in vitro" analysis.

Table 1 Compound Ia (Mol/L) Cell x 10A Control 12.3 2.10-5 0.1 5 2.8 5.10- 6 10-6 10.0 Table 2 Compound Ia (Mol/L) Cell x 10 4 Control 150 2.10- 5 3 10-5 71 5.10-6 115 WO 97126878 WO 9726878PCTIUS97/02287 -18- Table 3 Compound Ia (Mol/L) Control 2. 5 10-6 10-6 Cell x 10=14 7.6 0.1 5.4 6.3 7.6 Contrao1 Compound Ia 1 Jm Compound Ia s PM Compound Ia

P

DNA

D.)

4 .85±0 .32 8.20±0.23 6 .9 0±0 .50 7 .90±1.46 Table

DNA

1 .3 6±0.0 6 1 97±0.0 5 1.85±0.24 1 .9 6±0 .29 4 Collagen Type I (pg/well) 47.82±4. 15 43 .78±5.2 3 38.01±6.24 35 .16±2 .44 Collagen Pvalues Type I (Jig/Jig DNA) 3 5.00±1.41 22.00±1.46 P<0.005 20.50±0.61 P<0.005 18.00±1.41 P<0.005

Claims (6)

1. A method of inhibiting musculoaponeurotic fibromatoses comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound having the formula 0 Ro-0-- O O-- R R 0 7 S wherein R 1 and R 3 are independently hydrogen, -CH 3 C(O)(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), or Ar, wherein Ar is optionally substituted phenyl; R 2 is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, hexamethyleneimino, and piperidino; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of solvate thereof.

2. A compound having the formula 1 O R2 R- 7 S wherein R 1 and R 3 are independently hydrogen, -CH 3 C(O)(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), or Ar, wherein Ar is optionally substituted phenyl; R 2 is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, hexamethyleneimino, and piperidino; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of solvate thereof when used in inhibiting musculoaponeurotic fibromatoses.

3. The use of a compound having the formula 0 v2- 6O O-R R-O 7 S wherein R 1 and R 3 are independently hydrogen, -CH 3 C(0)(Ci-C 6 alkyl), or Ar, wherein Ar is optionally substituted phenyl; R 2 is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, hexamethyleneimino, and piperidino; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of solvate thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for inhibiting musculoaponeurotic fibromatoses. C04019

4. The method, compound or use of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said compound is the hydrochloride salt thereof.

The method, compound or use of claim 4 wherein said compound is 32 O O -R3 R--O 7 S or its hydrochloride salt.

6. The method, compound or use of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said mammal is a human. Dated 26 August 1998 ELI LILLY AND COMPANY Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON&FERGUSON C04019