Tivantinib is primarily investigated for its potential in cancer treatment, specifically as a targeted therapy in oncology. It functions as a selective inhibitor of the c-MET receptor, a protein involved in cell growth, survival, and metastasis. By blocking c-MET signaling, tivantinib helps suppress tumor growth and spread, particularly in cancers where c-MET is overexpressed or dysregulated. It has been studied in clinical trials for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially in patients with high c-MET expression. Research suggests that tivantinib may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and improve progression-free survival in certain patient populations. Its development represents a strategy toward personalized cancer therapy based on tumor biomarkers.