The invention provides tetrahydro[1,8]naphthyridine and related compounds, methods of promoting RORy activity and/or increasing the amount of iL-17 in a subject, and therapeutic uses of the tetrahydro[1,8]naphthyridine and related compounds. In particular, the invention provides sulfonamide-tetrahydro[1,8]naphthyridine and related compounds, methods of using such compounds to promote RORy activity and/or increase the amount of iL-17 in a subject, and treat medical conditions in which activation of immune response would be beneficial such as in cancer and infections.