A client with ovarian cancer is ordered hydroxyurea (Hydrea), an antimetabolite drug. Antimetabolites are a diverse group of ant
ineoplastic agents that interfere with various metabolic actions of the cell. The mechanism of action of antimetabolites interferes with:a. the chemical structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and chemical binding between DNA molecules (cell cycle-nonspecific).b. normal cellular processes during the S phase of the cell cycle.
Anti-metabolites are the chemical drugs which interfere with the chemical enzymes used during the DNA synthesis.
The drugs act during the DNA replication process which takes place in S or synthesis phase of the cell cycle which prevents the DNA replication. They affect the DNA synthesis by acting as a substitute for the metabolite utilized during the DNA synthesis metabolism. They are used in cancer treatment chemotherapy.
