ML161 is primarily used in research settings to study the role of ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death, in various biological processes. It is a selective inhibitor of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), an enzyme critical for preventing lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. Researchers utilize ML161 to investigate the mechanisms of ferroptosis in cancer cells, neurodegenerative diseases, and other conditions where cell death pathways are dysregulated. By inhibiting GPX4, ML161 helps scientists understand how ferroptosis contributes to disease progression and identify potential therapeutic targets. Its application is particularly valuable in developing strategies to induce ferroptosis in cancer cells as a novel approach to cancer treatment.