NSC59984 is primarily used in cancer research due to its ability to restore the function of mutant p53, a tumor suppressor protein commonly inactivated in various cancers. It promotes the degradation of mutant p53 while activating the p73 pathway, leading to apoptosis in cancer cells. This compound shows potential in treating tumors resistant to conventional therapies, especially those with p53 mutations. It is also used as a research tool to study p53-related signaling pathways and mechanisms of drug resistance in oncology.