Primarily utilized in biochemical research, this compound serves as a selective inhibitor of orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase, an enzyme crucial in the biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides. Its application extends to the study of nucleic acid metabolism and the development of antimetabolite drugs, particularly in the context of cancer therapy. By interfering with the synthesis of DNA and RNA, it helps in understanding cellular proliferation mechanisms and in designing therapeutic agents that target rapidly dividing cells. Additionally, it is employed in experimental settings to induce specific biochemical pathways for studying cellular responses and resistance mechanisms in various disease models.