XCT790 is primarily used as a selective inverse agonist of estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα). It is widely employed in research to study mitochondrial function and energy metabolism, as ERRα plays a key role in regulating genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial biogenesis. By inhibiting ERRα activity, XCT790 helps researchers investigate metabolic pathways in cancer cells, where altered energy metabolism is a hallmark. It has been used in studies related to breast cancer, showing potential to reduce cell proliferation and induce metabolic stress. Additionally, XCT790 is utilized in diabetes and obesity research due to its effects on cellular energy homeostasis. Its application remains confined to laboratory and preclinical studies, serving as a tool compound for probing metabolic diseases and cancer biology.