Cerebrospinal fluid polyamine monitoring in central nervous system leukemia.

High-pressure chromatographic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid utilizing the o-phthalaldehyde-fluorescent detection system allows the reproducible detection of acid-soluble polyamines in this extracellular fluid compartment. Measurements made by this method in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia appear to correlate with the remission-relapse status of the patient. The sensitivity of this analytic technique may allow much earlier detection of central nervous system disease. Studies are presently under way in our laboratories to define the usefulness of this technique to monitor successful chemotherapy of leukemia patients.