Used primarily as a key intermediate in the synthesis of chemotherapeutic agents like etoposide and teniposide. These drugs are widely employed in the treatment of various cancers, including testicular cancer, small cell lung cancer, lymphomas, and leukemias. The compound contributes to the inhibition of topoisomerase II, an enzyme involved in DNA replication and repair, leading to cancer cell death. Due to its potent biological activity, it plays a critical role in oncology drug development and is valuable in research for designing new anticancer agents.