Apoptolidin is primarily studied for its potential in cancer therapy due to its ability to induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancer cells. It specifically targets mitochondria, disrupting their function and leading to the death of malignant cells while sparing normal cells. This selective activity makes it a promising candidate for developing targeted anticancer drugs. Research is ongoing to explore its efficacy, optimize its structure for better therapeutic outcomes, and understand its mechanism of action in greater detail. Additionally, it serves as a valuable tool in biochemical studies to investigate mitochondrial function and apoptosis pathways.