The present invention is directed to substituted 1-benzoyl-3-cyano-pyrrolo[1,2-.alpha.]quinolines and analogs thereof, represented by the general Formula I: ##STR00001## wherein R.sub.1 R.sub.8, L, Q, dash line and Ar are defined herein. The present invention also relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula I are activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, the activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis of this invention can be used to induce cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs.