Comparative analysis of polyamine metabolism in benign and neoplastic keratinocytic proliferations.

INTRODUCTION

Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) are polycationic compounds that play a central role in keratinocytic proliferation, differentiation, and regulation. The objective was to elucidate the polyamine metabolic changes that occur in various benign and neoplastic skin proliferations.

METHODS

The study included 58 patients: 31 with the plaque form of psoriasis vulgaris and 27 with non-melanoma skin tumors. The levels of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine were detected in lesional and non-lesional skin samples.

RESULTS

Findings were representative (p < 0.05). Psoriatic lesions showed a twofold elevation of all polyamines in lesional skin compared to non-lesional skin. Spermine had the highest concentration, which suggested a leading position of propylamine synthesis in psoriatic pathogenesis. Results on the polyamine metabolism of basal cell carcinoma represented basic characteristics similar to those of psoriasis. Conversely, squamous-cell carcinoma lesions showed the highest concentration of putrescine, suggesting a crucial role of spermidine-spermine acetyltransferase in their pathogenesis.

DISCUSSION: Our findings showed different polyamine metabolic changes in lesions from benign and neoplastic keratinocytic proliferations. Basal-cell carcinoma polyamine metabolism revealed a closer relationship to psoriasis than to squamous-cell carcinoma, which might explain its long-term benign course and non-metastatic nature.