Erythrocyte Polyamine Determinations in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

\s=b\ Erythrocyte polyamine levels were measured in the blood from 29 untreated patients whose conditions were diagnosed as head and neck cancer. Only nine (31%) of these patients had elevations of erythrocyte spermidine and/or spermine levels above the reference ranges determined for normal persons.However, a positive correlation was observed between the erythrocyte spermidine levels and the clinical tumor stage. Serial erythrocyte polyamine determinations were performed on the blood from 12 of these patients before and after either surgical or radiation therapy. In 11 of the cases, the erythrocyte spermidine levels decreased after tumor therapy regardless of whether there was prior elevation above the reference range. The erythrocyte spermine levels in these patients were more variable in their response to tumor treatment. Therefore, although erythrocyte polyamine levels were only slightly to moderately elevated in response to the small tumors characteristic of the head and neck, the measurement of erythrocyte spermidine, potentially, may offer a simple and effective means of monitoring the course of therapy used in patients with head and neck cancer. (Arch Otolaryngol 1981;107:752-754) The naturally occurring aliphatic polyamines, putrescine, spermi¬ dine, and spermine, are found in all types of cells.12 Although their exact physiologic function is unknown, it has been shown that they play neces¬ sary roles in cell growth and that their rate of accumulation parallels the rate of cellular proliferation.3 4 The struc¬ tures of these compounds are as fol¬ lows:Evidence has accumulated during the past ten years that suggests that polyamines are of potential value as

Molecular markers of radiation-related normal tissue toxicity

“…Interestingly, tissue levels of these compounds can decrease within hours after irradiation in the spleen and bowel, while increasing in the blood. Late injury from localized irradiation can result in high levels of these metabolites [55]. The association with these circulating tissue breakdown products with specific toxicity experienced by patients undergoing abdominal or head and neck radiation is unknown.…”

Early diagnosis and treatment monitoring roles of tumor markers Cyfra 21-1 and TPS in oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…Tumor markers, which have been accepted as a valuable tool for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring in recent years,12–18 could be an easy and desirable means of achieving this purpose. Various tumor markers have been examined for their value in detecting head and neck and/or oral carcinoma 19–31. However, the main drawback of these markers was their low sensitivity for head and neck carcinoma, which rendered them useless for clinical purposes.…”

Serum tumor markers of head and neck cancer: Current status

“…68 The naturally occurring aliphatic polyamines, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, are found in all types of cells. 69 Although their physiologi-gested that they are closely involved in cell growth and possibly in the regulation of RNAdependant protein ~ynthesis.~' Intracellular levels of polyamines, particularly spermidine and putrescine, increase early and dramatically with growth of both normal and neoplastic tissue. 68 There has been accumulating evidence over the past few years suggesting the potential value of polyamines as tumor markers in patients with neoplastic diseases.…”

“…71 However, 95% or more of polyamines in whole blood can be accounted for in the blood cells. The free polyamine concentration associated with erythrocytes accounts for greater than 90% of the spermidine, and greater than 70% of the spermine in whole blood.72 Abnormally high polyamine concentrations were found in patients with advanced stages of various cancers, and levels declined with successful therapy.68 Generally, however, the consensus was that measurement of polyamine levels provided little use in screening for occult cancer because of its low yield in patients with smaller t~m o r s .~~,~' Shideler et al 69 measured erythrocyte polyamines in 29 previously untreated patients with head and neck cancer. Elevated levels of erythrocyte spermidine and/or spermine were found in 31% of these patients when compared to reference ranges determined for normal subjects.…”