Red blood cell polyamines in brain tumour patients.

Red blood cell polyamine levels have been determined in patients with various histologically confirmed brain tumours. Increased spermine and spermidine levels were found in most patients with perifocal oedema demonstrated by CT; no correlation was found to other CT variables, nor to tumour localization. Polyamine levels increased during the clinical course coincident with tumour activity and decreased in response to surgery and radiotherapy. The response to chemotherapy involved a change in the relationship between spermine and spermidine levels. Our results underline the significance of regular polyamine level estimation during the management of patients with brain tumours.