[Prospects for the application of 31-phosphorus NMR to the surveillance of anticancer treatment].

The use of surface coils has allowed the extend of 31P NMR spectroscopy applications to in vivo studies. This technique is particularly interesting in following the energy metabolism of subcutaneously transplanted tumors in animals and in supervising their treatments. The results already published in this domain, if not all homogeneous, show that some 31P NMR spectral changes give informations about the metabolic state, so on the therapeutic action. Thus radiations, hyperthermia and chemotherapeutic agents effects can be precociously revealed because spectral changes occur before the tumoral mass decreases. This non-invasive method enables a regular treatment follow-up.