A medicinal agent for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation is disclosed. A compound having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor is contained as an active ingredient in the medicinal agent. The compound represented by the following general formula (I) as defined in the specification, a salt, an N-oxide, or a solvate thereof, or a prodrug of these is useful as a medicinal component having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation.

##STR00001##

Disclosed are compounds for medical uses, for example, compounds of formula Ia,

##STR00001##

wherein A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3, A.sub.4, A.sub.5, A.sub.6, A.sub.7, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and E are as described herein, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and methods of treating or preventing a disease or condition, for example, cancer.

Disclosed are compounds for medical uses, for example, compounds of formula Ia,

##STR00001##

wherein A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3, A.sub.4, A.sub.5, A.sub.6, A.sub.7, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and E are as described herein, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and methods of treating or preventing a disease or condition, for example, cancer.

The present invention relates to compounds and methods useful as inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) for the treatment or prevention of disease.

The present invention relates to compounds and methods useful as inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) for the treatment or prevention of disease.

Compounds that modulate the oxidoreductase enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, and compositions containing the compounds, are described herein. The use of such compounds and compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of a diverse array of diseases, disorders and conditions, including cancer- and immune-related disorders, that are mediated by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase is also provided.

Compounds that modulate the oxidoreductase enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, and compositions containing the compounds, are described herein. The use of such compounds and compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of a diverse array of diseases, disorders and conditions, including cancer- and immune-related disorders, that are mediated by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase is also provided.

The present invention relates to inhibitors of histone deacetylases, in particular HDAC8, that are useful for the treatment of cancer and other diseases and disorders, as well as the synthesis and applications of said inhibitors.

The present invention relates to inhibitors of histone deacetylases, in particular HDAC8, that are useful for the treatment of cancer and other diseases and disorders, as well as the synthesis and applications of said inhibitors.

The present invention is directed to compounds of the formula (I) wherein all substituents are defined herein, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising compounds of the invention and methods of using said compositions in the treatment of various disorders.

##STR00001##