Abstract: Disclosed are N-aryl-5,7-dihydrofuro[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amines and analogs thereof, represented by the Formula I: wherein Ar, A, Q and R1-R6 are defined herein. The present invention relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula I are activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, the activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis of this invention may be used to induce cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to substituted N-aryl-9-oxo-9H-fluorene-1-carboxamides and analogs thereof, represented by the general Formula I: (I) wherein R1-R8, X and Ar are defined herein. The present invention also relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula I are activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, the activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis of this invention can be used to induce cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs.

Abstract: Disclosed are 3-aryl-6-aryl-7H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines and analogs thereof, represented by the Formula I: wherein Ar1, Q2, R1, R2, dashed line and X are defined herein. The present invention relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula I are activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, the activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis of this invention may be used to induce cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs.

Abstract: Disclosed are N-alkyl-N-aryl-thienopyrimidin-4-amines and analogs thereof, represented by the Formulae I-II: wherein Ar, R1-R4 and R10 are defined herein. The present invention relates to the discovery that compounds having Formulae I-II are activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, the activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis of this invention may be used to induce cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs.

Abstract: Disclosed are 3,5-disubstituted-[1,2,4]-oxadiazoles and analogs thereof, represented by the Formula I: wherein Ar1, R2, A, B and D are defined herein. The present invention relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula I are activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, the activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis of this invention may be used to induce cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs.

Abstract: Disclosed are N-aryl-thienopyrimidin-4-amines and analogs thereof, represented by the Formulae I-II: wherein Ar and R1-R4 are defined herein. The present invention relates to the discovery that compounds having Formulae I-II are activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, the activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis of this invention may be used to induce cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs.

Abstract: Disclosed are N-arylalkyl-thienopyrimidin-4-amines and analogs thereof, represented by the Formula I: wherein Ar, R1, R3, R4, R10-R12 and n are defined herein. The present invention relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula I are activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, the activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis of this invention may be used to induce cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to substituted 4H-chromenes and analogs thereof, represented by the Formula (I): wherein R1, R3-R5, A, D, Y and Z are defined herein. The present invention also relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula (I) are activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, the activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis of this invention can be used to induce cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to substituted coumarins and quinolines and analogs thereof, represented by the general Formula I: wherein A, B, X, Y, and Z are defined herein. The present invention also relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula I are activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, the activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis of this invention can be used to induce cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of treating, preventing or ameliorating a disease responsive to induction of the caspase cascade in an animal, comprising administering to the animal a compound which binds specifically to a Tail Interacting Protein Related Apoptosis Inducing Protein (TIPRAIP). The present invention also relates to screening methods useful for drug discovery of apoptosis inducing compounds. In particular, the screening methodology relates to using TIPRAIP as a target for the discovery of apoptosis activators useful as anticancer agents. The screening methods of the present invention can employ homogenous or heterogenous binding assays using purified or partially purified TIPRAIP; or whole cell assays using cells with altered levels of TIPRAIP.