Hydroxyurea is used as an inhibitor of DNA synthesis and an anti-cancer drug. It is used as a precursor to prepare 1-hydroxy-5,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione via reaction with 2-methyl-3-oxo-butyric acid ethyl ester. It is used in the treatment of melanoma, resistant chronic myelocytic leukemia and recurrent metastatic or inoperable ovarian. It is also involved in reducing the rate of painful attacks in sickle-cell disease and has anti-retroviral properties in diseases such as AIDS.
