Disclosed herein are compounds of the formula S-1 where the substituents are as defined herein. Examples of the compounds include (3E, 5E)&hyphen3,5&hyphenBis(phenylmethylidene)azepan&hyphen4&hyphenone and (3E,5E)&hyphen5&hyphen[(4&hyphenchlorophenyl)methylidene]&hyphen3&hyphen[(4&hyphennitrophenyl)methylidene]azepan&hyphen4&hyphenone. The compounds are capable of abrogating the deubiquitinating (DUB) activity of the 19S RP DUBs and are therefore suitable for treating cancer, in particular of cancer refractory to treatment by chemotherapy using compounds such as bortezomib. Also disclosed are corresponding methods of treatment and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds.
