Triaryl bis-sulfones as a new class of cannabinoid CB2 receptor inhibitors: identification of a lead and initial SAR studies

A novel class of cannabinoid CB2 receptor ligands is described. These triaryl bis-sulfones are nanomolar inhibitors of the CB2 receptor and show high selectivity over the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. One example of this new class decreases ligand-induced GTPγS binding to recombinant CB2 cell membranes, identifying the compound as a CB2-selective inverse agonist.