The present invention provides for novel acridine-like class of compounds that have demonstrated efficiency in treating cancer. The compounds of the present invention have demonstrated efficacy in binding to and antagonizing the activity of the p53 repressor, HDMX. Once administered to a cell, the compounds of the present invention bind HDMX, thereby allowing p53 to induce apoptosis of the cancerous cell. A combination of this class of compounds along with Nutlin3 provides a novel approach to treat cancers.