A-1331852 is primarily utilized in biochemical research due to its role as a selective inhibitor of BCL-XL, a protein involved in regulating apoptosis. This compound is particularly valuable in studies focused on understanding the mechanisms of cell death and survival, especially in cancer research. By inhibiting BCL-XL, A-1331852 helps researchers investigate how blocking this protein can induce apoptosis in cancer cells, potentially leading to the development of targeted cancer therapies. Additionally, it is used in laboratory settings to explore the effects of BCL-XL inhibition on cellular processes and to evaluate its efficacy in combination with other treatments. Its application extends to drug discovery efforts aimed at identifying novel compounds that can modulate apoptosis pathways for therapeutic purposes.