Compounds are described that are useful for treating an apoptosis-associated disease, which are specifically cytotoxic to tumor cells that are overexpressing Bcl-xL, and are much less cytotoxic in isogenic cells that are not overexpressing Bcl-xL. Also described is a method for treating an apoptosis-associated disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an active compound that is specifically cytotoxic to tumor cells that are overexpressing Bcl-xL, and are much less cytotoxic in isogenic cells that are not overexpressing Bcl-xL. Several scaffolds of active compounds are described.
