[The possibilities of using the free polyamines of the peripheral blood as biochemical tumor markers in nephroblastoma in children].

Thin-layer chromatography was used to measure free polyamine level in blood plasma and peripheral blood cells in 38 pediatric nephroblastoma patients and 30 apparently healthy children. Thirty-six nephroblastoma patients were examined in the course of treatment of whom 25-during 1-36 months following basic treatment course as well. A significant increase in the initial free polyamine level in blood cells (92.4% of cases) and plasma (63%) of nephroblastoma patients was observed. A correlation was established between changes in free polyamine level, on the one hand, and response to treatment and subsequent course of disease, on the other. At 8-10 days following radical surgery, a decrease in polyamine level was observed in 58% of operated cases and an increase-in 41.8%. The latter proved prognostically unfavorable. Recurrence and metastases development was associated with a rise in polyamine concentration in plasma and, particularly, in blood cells which in some cases preceded the appearance of other signs of tumor progression. The polyamine test can be recommended for monitoring pediatric nephroblastoma patients.