Used in research settings as a potent and selective inhibitor of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor tyrosine kinase. It is primarily employed to study signaling pathways involved in certain cancers, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ALK gene rearrangements. Its high selectivity makes it a valuable tool for understanding ALK-driven tumor growth and resistance mechanisms. ZD-4190 is not used clinically but supports the development and evaluation of targeted cancer therapies by enabling precise modulation of ALK activity in cellular and biochemical assays.