Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP), a key enzyme in the methionine salvage pathway, is inactivated in a variety of human cancers. Since all human tissues express MTAP, it would be of potential interest to identify compounds that selectively inhibit the growth of MTAP deficient cells. To determine if MTAP inactivation could be targeted, we have performed a differential chemical genetic screen in isogenic MTAP+ and MTAP− S. cerevisiae. A low molecular weight compound library containing 30,080 unique compounds was screened for those that selectively inhibit growth of MTAP− yeast using a differential growth assay. One compound, containing a 1,3,4-thiadiazine ring, repeatedly showed a differential dose response, with MTAP− cells exhibiting a four-fold shift in IC50 compared to MTAP+ cells. Several structurally related derivatives of this compound also showed enhanced growth inhibition in MTAP− yeast. These compounds were also examined for growth inhibition of isogenic MTAP+ and MTAP− HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells, and four of the five compounds exhibited evidence of modest, but significant, increased potency in MTAP− cells. In summary, these studies show the feasibility of differential growth screening technology and have identified a novel class of compounds that can preferentially inhibit growth of MTAP− cells.