the present invention comprises peptidomimetic compounds which comprise a suitably substituted aminoalkylbenzamide moiety . the instant compounds inhibit the farnesyl protein transferase enzyme and the farnesylation of certain proteins . furthermore , the instant farnesyl protein transferase inhibitors differ from those previously described as inhibitors of farnesyl - protein transferase in that they do not have a thiol moiety . the lack of the thiol offers unique advantages in terms of improved pharmacokinetic behavior in animals , prevention of thiol - dependent chemical reactions , such as rapid autoxidation and disulfide formation with endogenous thiols , and reduced systemic toxicity . further contained in this invention are chemotherapeutic compositions containing these farnesyl transferase inhibitors and methods for their production .