Hydroxyurea is an oral antimetabolite and cytotoxic chemotherapy drug that inhibits ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase. This prevents production of deoxyribonucleotides, arresting cells in the S phase, while , for the most part, sparing RNA synthesis and protein production. it is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and head and neck cancers, and reduces pain and transfusion needs in sickle cell disease by increasing hemoglobin F and improving red cell deformability. Dose-limiting toxicity causes side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, ulcers, fever, cough and shortness of breath, so careful monitoring of blood concentration is important. AkrivisBio’s Hydroxyurea Assay is a simple, sensitive way to measure hydroxyurea in serum or plasma samples with a detection limit, below 1 nmole per well.
