hydroxyurea

Definition of hydroxyurea

hydroxyurea (hy-DROK-see-yoo-REE-uh): A drug used alone or with other anticancer drugs or radiation therapy under the brand name Hydrea to treat certain types of chronic myelogenous leukemia and head and neck cancer and under the brand name Droxia to treat certain patients with sickle cell anemia. It is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer. Hydroxyurea stops cells from making DNA and may kill cancer cells. It may also make cancer cells easier to kill with radiation therapy. Hydroxyurea may also help keep abnormal red blood cells from forming, which may reduce the number of painful sickle cell crises and the need for blood transfusions. Hydroxyurea is a type of antimetabolite.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms