Streptozotocin is widely used in medical research, particularly for inducing diabetes in animal models. It selectively targets and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia, making it valuable for studying type 1 diabetes mechanisms and potential treatments. Additionally, it is employed in cancer research due to its ability to inhibit DNA synthesis, making it useful for studying and developing treatments for certain types of tumors, such as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Its applications also extend to testing the efficacy of antidiabetic drugs and exploring the effects of hyperglycemia on various organs. Clinically, streptozotocin is used as an antineoplastic agent for treating certain cancers, including metastatic islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas and other neuroendocrine tumors. However, its use must be strictly controlled due to potential severe side effects.