| abstract |
The present invention relates to optionally substituted 3-aryl-5-aryl- [1,2,4] -oxadiazoles and analogs, as shown in Formula I:n n n Formula In n n n n n n n Wherein Ar 1 , Ar 3 , A, B and D are as defined above.n n n The invention also relates to the discovery that the compounds of formula (I) are caspase activators and apoptosis inducers. Thus, caspase activators and apoptosis inducers of the invention can be used to induce cell death in various clinical diseases in which uncontrolled growth and proliferation of abnormal cells occurs. |