The invention provides compounds, several of which belong to a class having two or more nonpolar components connected by a polar group and having polar groups on the termini of the compound. The invention also concents a method of selectively inducing termini differentiation of neoplastic cells and thereby inhibiting proliferation of such cells which comprises contacting the cells under suitable condition with an amount of the compound effective to selectively induce terminal differentiation. Moreover, the invention provides a method of treating a patient having a tumor characterized by proliferation of neoplastic cells which comprises administering to the patient an amount of the compound effective to selectively induce terminal differentiation of such neoplastic cells, thereby inhibiting their proliferation and suppressing oncogenicity. Lastly, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and the compound in an amount effective less than an amount which would cause toxicity in the patient.