FIN56 is primarily utilized in research settings to study the regulation of lipid metabolism and cell death pathways, particularly ferroptosis. It functions by depleting glutathione and promoting the degradation of GPX4, a key enzyme that protects cells from lipid peroxidation. This makes it a valuable tool for investigating the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis and its potential role in diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Researchers employ FIN56 to explore therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways, aiming to develop treatments that can modulate cell survival and death in pathological conditions.