Hydroxyurea is a nitrogen-containing anti-cancer drug and antimetabolite used to treat certain leukemias, polycythemia vera, and other myeloproliferative disorders. It interferes with DNA synthesis by inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase, thereby slowing cell replication. The term combines hydroxy- (containing a hydroxyl group) with -urea (a chemical compound), reflecting its chemical structure.
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