Polyamines and brain tumors.

Although their precise functions are unknown, the polyamines have been linked to cellular proliferation and division. The demonstration of a definite correlation between growth rate and the synthesis of the polyamines in tissues has led to the hope that such correlations might extend to polyamine concentrations in physiologic fluids. Polyamine determinations may then offer a simple index of tumor burden and growth rate. Studies of the relationship of cerebrospinal fluid polyamine levels to the presence of brain tumors indicated that thes determinations may assist in the early diagnosis of brain tumors, in the longterm evaluation of tumor therapy, and in the short-term evaluation of the efficacy of specific therapies.