The relationship of polyamines in cerebrospinal fluid to the presence of central nervous system tumors.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) polyamine concentrations were assayed in patients with and without central nervous system tumors, using a high-pressure liquid chromatographic technique. Definite elevations were found in the CFS polyamine concentrations of patients with untreated malignant central nervous system tumors when compared with those concentrations observed in the CSF of patients without neoplasia. Patients undergoing successful tumor therapy for malignant central nervous system tumors showed CSF polyamine concentrations that closely approximated the concentrations found in the CSF of patients without tumor.