Plasma spermidine and putrescine as markers of cancer management

The hypothesis was tested that dying tumor cells release spermidine and putrescine into the bloodstream. Therefore, a rhabdomyosarcoma was implanted in rats, irradiated and its growth and subsequent reduction compared with spermidine and putrescine plasma concentrations of the venous effluent from the tumor side and contralateral side. In the experimental set-up used the hypothesis could not be verified. It appeared that irradiation only, implantation and growth of a tumor only and an irradiated tumor, all caused elevated spermidine and putrescine concentrations in the effluent of both sides in approximately the same order of magnitude, compared to untreated controls.