Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor 4 is primarily used in research and development to study the Hedgehog signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue patterning. It is particularly valuable in cancer research, as aberrant activation of this pathway is associated with various types of tumors, including basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. By inhibiting the pathway, this compound helps researchers understand its mechanisms and evaluate potential therapeutic strategies for Hedgehog-driven cancers. Additionally, it is used in developmental biology studies to explore the pathway's role in embryonic development and tissue regeneration. Its application extends to drug discovery, where it serves as a tool for screening and validating new anticancer agents targeting Hedgehog signaling.