FTI-2148 is primarily used in research settings to study and inhibit the activity of farnesyltransferase, an enzyme involved in the post-translational modification of proteins. By blocking this enzyme, FTI-2148 helps researchers understand the role of protein farnesylation in cellular processes, particularly in cancer biology. It is often employed in laboratory studies to investigate the potential of farnesyltransferase inhibitors as therapeutic agents for cancers driven by Ras mutations, as these mutations are dependent on farnesylation for their oncogenic activity. Additionally, FTI-2148 is utilized to explore its effects on cell signaling pathways, proliferation, and apoptosis, providing insights into its potential applications in targeted cancer therapies.