Primarily utilized in biochemical research, 2'-Ethoxyuridine serves as a modified nucleoside for studying nucleic acid structure and function. It is often incorporated into RNA or DNA strands to investigate the effects of sugar modifications on nucleic acid stability, hybridization, and enzyme interactions. This compound is also employed in the development of antiviral and anticancer agents, as its modified structure can interfere with viral replication or tumor cell proliferation. Additionally, it is used in the synthesis of oligonucleotides for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, particularly in antisense and siRNA technologies. Its unique properties make it a valuable tool in exploring gene expression regulation and designing targeted molecular therapies.