cisplatin + hydroxyurea

Cisplatin + hydroxyurea is a combination chemotherapy regimen that pairs two cytotoxic agents—cisplatin, a platinum-based DNA crosslinker, and hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase. This combination has been studied primarily as part of multi-agent regimens for the treatment of various solid tumors, including cervical cancer and refractory solid tumors. The rationale for combining these drugs is based on their complementary mechanisms of action; cisplatin forms DNA adducts leading to apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells, while hydroxyurea inhibits DNA synthesis by blocking the conversion of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides. In clinical studies, this combination has shown synergistic effects in potentiating cytotoxicity against tumor cells[1][2][3]. Toxicities include myelosuppression (notably thrombocytopenia), nephrotoxicity (especially from cisplatin), nausea/vomiting, and fatigue[2][3]. The regimen may be further combined with other agents such as 5-fluorouracil or cytarabine in specific protocols.

Other names

cisplatin and hydroxyureahydroxyurea and cisplatin