Rapid detection of polyamines in the sera of patients with colorectal carcinoma by liquid ion-exchange chromatography.

ABSTRACT

The polyamines spermidine and spermine and the diamines putrescine and cadaverine have been determined in their free and unbound state in the sera of patients with colorectal carcinoma. The obtained values were compared with normal control levels. Elevated levels of putrescine and spermidine were found in untreated patients and declined to the control range after surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment. Spermine levels remained unchanged throughout the observation at normal control levels.