Abstract: This invention describes a series of methods and compositions for prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer. One aspect of the invention describes small molecule-based drugs that can be used to bind to death receptors TRAIL-R1/DR4 and/or TRAIL-R2/DR5 and induce apoptosis in cancer cells, while sparing normal cells. The invention also describes TRAIL Death Receptor Agonists/Activators (DRAs) and their uses, such as the induction of apoptosis through caspase-8 and caspase-3 activation. The present invention also describes the methods of treating cancers, such as breast, prostate, colon, pancreatic, ovarian, lung, and brain cancers, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and mesothelioma, using DRAs either as single-agent treatments, or in combination with other therapies.