3PO is primarily utilized in biochemical research as a selective inhibitor of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), a bifunctional enzyme that regulates glycolysis by controlling fructose-2,6-bisphosphate levels. By inhibiting PFKFB3, 3PO suppresses glycolytic flux, making it a valuable tool for studying tumor metabolism and the Warburg effect in cancer cells. PFKFB3 is often upregulated by PI3K/AKT and HIF-1α pathways, which are dysregulated in cancers, so 3PO aids research into metabolic reprogramming, cell proliferation, survival, and potential therapeutic strategies targeting glycolysis-dependent diseases.