The invention provides organonitro thioether compounds, compositions containing such compounds, isolated organonitro thioether compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions to treat cancer in a patient. Exemplary organonitro thioether compounds described herein include 2-(3,3-dinitroazetidin-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl thioethers and variants thereof. Another aspect of the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an organonitro thioether compound described herein, such as a compound of Formula I or II. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of treating cancer in a patient. The method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an organonitro thioether compound described herein, such as a compound of Formula I or II, to treat the cancer.