Compounds that are not related to NAD, and which target PARP1-histone H4 interaction are provided, as well as compositions of these compounds, and methods for specific inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) using these compounds are provided. These PARP-1 inhibitors may be used to treat cancer in which PARP-1 activation or biologic activity plays a role, including prostate cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, ovarian cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, and glioblastoma, among others.