IMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVES, THEIR PREPARATION AND THEIR USE AS S-ADENOSYLMETHIONINE DECARBOXYLASE (=SAMDC) INHIBITORS

PCT No. PCT/EP96/00143 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 23, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 23, 1997 PCT Filed Jan. 15, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/22979 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 1, 1996Described are compounds of formula I (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen or hydroxy; R2, R2' and R2'' are each independently of the others hydrogen or a substituent other than hydrogen; either R3 is hydrogen or a substituent other than hydrogen and R4 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, or R3 and R4 together form a divalent radical of the formula -(CH2)n- wherein n is 2 or 3; R5 and R6 are each independently of the other hydrogen, alkyl or aryl; and either R7 and R8 are each hydrogen, or R7 and R8 together form a bond; tautomers thereof, provided that at least one tautomerisable group is present; and salts thereof. The compounds inhibit the enzyme S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and are suitable, for example, for the treatment of tumours and protozoal infections.