Fostriecin sodium salt is primarily utilized in biochemical research due to its potent inhibitory effects on protein phosphatases, particularly PP2A and PP4. This property makes it a valuable tool for studying cellular signaling pathways, as it helps elucidate the role of these phosphatases in processes such as cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and DNA damage response. Additionally, it is employed in cancer research to investigate its potential as an antitumor agent, given its ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in certain cancer cell lines. Its application extends to the study of phosphorylation dynamics, providing insights into the regulation of various cellular functions.