[The abilities of the electron paramagnetic resonance technique to diagnose urological cancers]

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique was used to study the venous blood levels of Fe(3+)-transferrin (Fe(3+)-TF) and Cu(2+)-ceruloplasmin (Cu(2+)-CP) in three different groups: donors, outpatients, and patients with Stages I-IV bladder and kidney cancer. The anemia-related range of concentrations of paramagnetic centers Fe(3+)-TF was determined, which corresponded to the hemoglobin levels below the normal physiological value (< or = 120 g/l). It was found that the blood concentration of Cu(2+)-TCP exceeded the normal value in the donors and outpatients who had anemia whereas it increased up to abnormally high values in anemic cancer virtually always due to the enhanced synthesis of CP. Simultaneous monitoring of Fe(3+)-TF and Cu(2+)-CP levels may serve as a basis for the rapid diagnosis of cancers by the technique EPR even in the early stage of the tumor process. The method may be also used to predict the course of the disease and to screen anemic patients.