CDK8-IN-11 is a selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8), a key regulator in transcription and cell signaling pathways. It is primarily used in cancer research to study the role of CDK8 in tumor progression, especially in colorectal, breast, and hematological cancers. By inhibiting CDK8 activity, this compound helps suppress the transcription of oncogenes and reduces cancer cell proliferation and survival. It has shown potential in enhancing the effects of other anti-cancer agents, particularly in models with dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin and STAT signaling pathways. CDK8-IN-11 is also employed to investigate immune modulation and inflammation due to CDK8's involvement in cytokine signaling. Its application remains mainly in preclinical research for target validation and mechanistic studies in oncology and molecular biology.