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Polyamines in gastrointestinal cancer

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Conclusions

Polyamines have important roles in determining the structure, function, and proliferative capacity of both normal and neoplastic gastrointestinal tissues. The numerous potential clinical uses of polyamines, their biosynthetic enzymes and enzyme inhibitors, as tumor markers and antitumor agents have been demonstrated in experimental and clinical settings.

Gastrointestinal cancers account for a large percentage of cancer deaths in the United States. Colorectal cancer alone is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States (85). With few exceptions, the studies summarized in this review are reports of observations. Our understanding of the underlying mechanisms causing these phenomena is fragmentary. The gastrointestinal system has unusual abilities to regenerate and an unusually high metabolic rate. The normal process of regeneration and adaptation may provide an excellent foundation upon which to build our understanding of malignant neoplastic processes in these tissues. Further investigation into the nature of the relationship between polyamines and gastrointestinal and hepatocellular neoplasia may provide tools that are useful in combating these diseases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 77550, Galveston, TX

    Rami Saydjari, Courtney M. Townsend Jr., Sam C. Barranco & James C. Thompson

  2. Department of Radiation and Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia

    Rami Saydjari, Courtney M. Townsend Jr., Sam C. Barranco & James C. Thompson

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  1. Rami Saydjari
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  2. Courtney M. Townsend Jr.
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  3. Sam C. Barranco
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  4. James C. Thompson
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Supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (537 DK 15241-17, PO1 DK 35608, and RCDA CA 00854), and a grant from the American Cancer Society (PDT-220).

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Saydjari, R., Townsend, C.M., Barranco, S.C. et al. Polyamines in gastrointestinal cancer. Digest Dis Sci 34, 1629–1636 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537125

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