There are provided substituted 4-carboxamido-isoindolinone derivatives which selectively inhibit the activity of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase PARP-I with respect to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase P ARP-2. The compounds of this invention are therefore useful in treating diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system injury and different forms of in-flammation. The present invention also provides methods for preparing these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of treating diseases utilizing pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds.