4EGI-1 is primarily used in biomedical research as a small molecule inhibitor that disrupts the interaction between eIF4E and eIF4G, two key proteins involved in the initiation of cap-dependent mRNA translation. By selectively targeting this protein-protein interface, 4EGI-1 effectively suppresses the translation of specific mRNAs that are critical for cell proliferation and survival, particularly those encoding oncoproteins such as cyclins and c-Myc. This makes it a valuable tool in cancer research, especially in studies focused on understanding translational control in tumor growth and identifying potential therapeutic strategies for malignancies driven by dysregulated protein synthesis. Additionally, 4EGI-1 has been used to probe the role of eIF4F complex formation in viral replication, as many viruses rely on the host’s cap-dependent translation machinery. Its application remains confined to laboratory settings, mainly in cell-based assays and preclinical studies.