Used in cancer research due to its ability to interfere with glucose metabolism in tumor cells, which rely heavily on glycolysis for energy. By mimicking glucose, it enters cells and inhibits key glycolytic enzymes, leading to reduced ATP production and cellular stress. This property makes it a candidate for targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells. It is also studied in antiviral therapies, as some viruses depend on host glycolysis for replication. Additionally, it serves as a tracer in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging when labeled with radioactive isotopes, helping visualize metabolic activity in tissues.