RITA is primarily used in cancer research due to its ability to reactivate the tumor suppressor protein p53. It functions by preventing the degradation of p53, allowing it to accumulate in cells and trigger apoptosis in cancerous cells while sparing normal cells. This selective action makes RITA a valuable tool in studying targeted cancer therapies, especially in tumors with wild-type p53. It has shown potential in enhancing the effectiveness of other anticancer agents by promoting cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death. RITA is also used in mechanistic studies to explore p53 pathway regulation and to identify new strategies for overcoming resistance to chemotherapy.