Polyamines and nucleic acids in gestational trophoblastic tumors.

To test the relationship between tumor malignancy and content and distribution of polyamines and nucleic acids, 2 forms of human gestational trophoblastic tumors were examined: the hydatidiform mole (self-limited form) and the human chorio-carcinoma (invasive form) xenografted into nude mice. The results indicate that there are 2 significant differences between the choriocarcinoma and the mole: 1) the choriocarcinoma is characterized by increased polyamine and nucleic acid levels, 2) tissues differ in their putrescine:spermidine and spermidine:spermine ratios. There is an increase in polyamines in the urine of mole-bearing patients over that of normal controls. The correlation between putrescine and spermidine with the chorionic gonadotropin indicates that these 2 polyamines reflect the biological activity of the mole.