Hydroxycarbamide: a user's guide for chronic myeloproliferative disorders

Hydroxycarbamide is a nonalkylating antiproliferative and antiviral agent that has been used for over 40 years to treat a variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions. Hydroxycarbamide is readily absorbed and widely distributed throughout the body. It acts primarily to inhibit DNA synthesis, which underpins its use in solid tumors, viral infections and chronic myeloproliferative disorders. Hydroxycarbamide is an effective treatment for preventing transient ischemic attacks associated with thrombocytosis in chronic myeloproliferative disorders because it is a nitric oxide donor. While its mechanism of action and side-effect profile are well defined, its potential for leukemic transformation as a single agent is still a matter of controversy. Based on a search of the Medline database, this article encompasses the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical use and tolerability of hydroxycarbamide, plus its potential for mutagenicity with special reference to the chronic myeloproliferative disorders. The toxicity profile of hydroxycarbamide is also discussed to enable clinicians to balance potential risks with therapeutic benefits.