CPI-444 is primarily investigated for its application in cancer immunotherapy. It functions as a potent and selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, helping to counteract the immunosuppressive environment within tumors. By blocking the A2A receptor, CPI-444 enhances the activation and function of T-cells, which are critical for mounting an effective immune response against cancer cells. This makes it a promising candidate for combination therapies with other immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies, to improve clinical outcomes in patients with solid tumors. It has been studied in clinical trials for cancers including renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and bladder cancer. The compound aims to restore the immune system’s ability to detect and destroy tumor cells more effectively.