5-Fluorouridine is primarily used in the field of medical research and treatment, particularly in oncology. It serves as an antimetabolite and is incorporated into RNA, disrupting normal RNA function and thereby inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. This compound is often utilized in studies focused on understanding the mechanisms of action of fluorinated pyrimidines, which are a class of drugs used in chemotherapy. Additionally, 5-Fluorouridine is employed in the development of antiviral agents, as it can interfere with the replication of certain viruses by mimicking natural nucleosides. Its role in biochemical research also extends to the study of nucleic acid metabolism and the synthesis of modified nucleotides for various therapeutic applications.