Disclosed are 3,5-disubstituted-[1,2,4]-oxadiazoles and analogs thereof,
represented by the Formula I: ##STR00001## wherein Ar.sub.1, R.sub.2, A,
B and D are defined herein. The present invention 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 may be used to induce cell death in a
variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of
abnormal cells occurs.