##STR1## Benzenesulfonamides of formula (I), in which W is OR.sub.1, NR.sub.2 OR.sub.1, NR.sub.A R.sub.B, NR.sub.2 NR.sub.A R.sub.B, or NR.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2-4 NR.sub.A R.sub.B and the other variables as defined in the claims, are inhibitors of MEK and are effective in the treatment of proliferative diseases, cancer, stroke, heart failure, xenograft rejection, arthritis, cystic fibrosis, hepatomegaly, cardiomegaly, Alzheimer's disease, complications of diabetes, septic shock, and viral infection.
This application is a Divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/869,639 filed Jul. 2, 2001, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,966 on Aug. 27, 2002, which is a 371 application of PCT/US99/30435 filed Dec. 21, 1999, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/115,874 filed Jan. 13, 1999 and U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/122,422 filed Mar. 2, 1999.
