A series of aliphatic sulfamates and related derivatives incorporating cyclic/polycyclic (steroidal) moieties in their molecules has been synthesized and assayed as inhibitors of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA) and, more precisely, of the cytosolic isozymes CA I and II and the transmembrane, tumor-associated isozyme CA IX. The most potent CA I inhibitor was n-tetradecyl sulfamate and some (substituted)benzyl/phenethyl sulfamates (inhibition constants in the low micromolar range). Against CA II, low nanomolar inhibitors (0.7-3.4 nM) were n-decyl sulfamate and the (substituted)benzyl/phenethyl derivatives mentioned above. Effective CA II inhibition was also observed for the hydroxy/keto derivatives of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfamate. Efficient CA IX inhibitory properties, with inhibition constants in the range of 9-23 nM, were observed for the aliphatic sulfamates C(10)-C(16) (with the most potent inhibitor being the n-dodecyl derivative) and the (substituted)benzyl/phenethyl sulfamates. The inhibition profile of the three investigated isozymes with this type of compound was rather different, allowing us to hope that the preparation of CA IX-selective inhibitors is possible (selectivity ratios toward hCA IX versus hCA II in the range of 5-63 has been observed for some of these compounds, whereas for the clinically used sulfonamides this parameter is in the range of 0.23-0.51). These data are critical for the design of novel antitumor therapies, mainly for hypoxic tumors that overexpress CA IX, which are nonresponsive to radiation or chemotherapy.