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.