The invention provides novel compositions—lipopeptides and analogs, including somocystinamide A, and somocystinamide A variants and analogs, and pharmaceutical compositions, liposomes and nanoparticles comprising them, and methods of making and using them. In one embodiment, these lipopeptides and analogs are used to induce apoptosis in a cell, which can be a normal cell, a dysfunctional cell and/or a cancer (tumor) cell. In alternative embodiments, the compositions of the invention, including the lipopeptides and analogs of the invention, and the pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, are used to treat or ameliorate (including slowing the progression of) normal, dysfunctional (e.g., abnormally proliferating) and/or tumor associated blood vessels, including endothelial and/or capillary cell growth; including neovasculature related to (within, providing a blood supply to) a tumor.