The present invention is directed to substituted 4H-chromenes and analogs thereof, represented by the Formula (I): wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.3-R.sup.5, A, D, Y and Z 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.