This invention characterizes the selective apoptotic activity of specially prepared zinc charged alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 2-HS glycoprotein, and alpha 1-antitrypsin. These proteins cause apoptosis in cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact. In addition, active fragments of zinc charged alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 2-HS glycoprotein, whether manufactured from the modification of natural alpha 1-acid glycoprotein or alpha 2-HS glycoprotein, recombinantly, or synthetically, selectively induce apoptosis.