The present invention relates compounds and compositions for interfering with the association of Myc and Max. These compounds and compositions are useful in methods for inhibiting growth or proliferation of a cell. Methods of inhibiting growth or proliferation of a cell comprise contacting the cell with an amount of a compound that interferes with Myc and Max association effective to inhibit growth or proliferation of the cell. The compounds exhibit increased inhibitory activity against c-Myc relative to the known c-Myc inhibitor small-molecule benzofurazan N-([1,1′-biphenyl]-2-yl)-7-nitrobenzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazol-4-amine (10074-G5).