The present invention relates to methods of identifying small molecule candidate agents capable of modulating transcription factor function such that the function/expression of a target transcription factor and/or proteins downstream of this target protein comprises the screening of small molecule libraries using in silico high throughput docking for candidate small molecules/agents that are selectively identified for their ability to target and disrupt the transcription factor-DNA interface through unique transcription factor and/or DNA descriptors that are defined within a pharmacophore, and then testing/evaluating the candidate agents identified above through one or more in vitro assays for their ability to modulate transcription factor function including expression of this target protein and/or proteins that are downstream of the target transcription factor. The present invention also relates to various compounds described herein (e.g., a compound of Formula XI), their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and to methods of using said compounds as described herein.