Urinary polyamine levels in human cancer.

Polyamine levels (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) were determined in 24-hour urine samples by a high voltage electrophoresis technique. Normal values were established in 42 normal volunteers. Thirty-eight of 56 patients with metastatic cancer had two or more levels elevated. Approximately two-thirds of patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma, metastatic squamous cell cancer or metastatic disease to the liver, lings, or bones had elevated levels. All 6 patients with localized malignant tumors had elevated urinary polyamine levels. Elevations were also seen in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy and bronchial adenoma.