Hydroxy[14C]urea uptake by normal and transformed human cells: evidence for a mechanism of passive diffusion.

The antitumor agent hydroxyurea is a potent inhibitor of cell division and selectivity toxic for rapidly proliferating cells. This drug has been used in the treatment of human cancer and, since drug transport is an important aspect of drug action, we investigated the mechanism of hydroxy[14C]urea uptake by human diploid fibroblasts and their SV40-virus-transformed counterparts. Kinetic analysis of drug uptake, studies with metabolic inhibitors, and estimates of cell/medium distribution ratios and temperature coefficient (Q10) values indicated that hydroxyurea enters normal and SV40-virus-transformed human cells by a mechanism of diffusion.