Used primarily in cancer research as an intermediate in the synthesis of chemotherapeutic agents like etoposide and teniposide. These drugs are topoisomerase II inhibitors that interfere with DNA replication in rapidly dividing cells, making them effective in treating various cancers, including lung cancer, testicular cancer, and certain leukemias. Acetylepipodophyllotoxin itself is not used directly as a drug but plays a critical role in the production of these clinically important derivatives. Its structure allows for chemical modifications that enhance the stability, solubility, and efficacy of the final pharmaceutical compounds.