Abstract
Polyamines are essential biomolecules for normal cellular metabolism in humans. The roles of polyamines in cancer development have been widely discussed in recent years. Among all, spermine alongside with its acetylated derivative, N1, N12-Diacetylspermine, demonstrate a relationship with the diagnosis and staging of various cancers, including lung, breast, liver, colorectal and urogenital. Numerous studies have reported the level of spermine in different body fluids and organ tissues in patients with different types of cancers. Currently, the role and the underlying mechanisms of spermine in cancer development and progression are still under investigation. This review summarized the roles of spermine in cancer development and as a diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic tool in various cancers.
Highlights
In a recent study investigating the possible role of DiAcSpm as a prognostic noninvasive marker for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Takahashi et al demonstrated that the urinary DiAcSpm levels of healthy controls were significantly lower than that of NSCLC patients, which were in line with the results illustrated by Xu et al DiAcSpm was useful in distinguishing squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma and other benign lung diseases, as its level was significantly higher in the former group
The prostate contains the largest amount of spermine in the body [31] and the spermine levels may alter due to different conditions; for example, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa)
Since spermine and DiAcSpm levels are altered in different cancers, this suggests that the polyamines themselves can be targets of novel therapies
Summary
Polyamines are small biomolecules that exist in all organisms and are crucial in many biological functions, ranging from cell growth, gene regulation, and nucleic acid stabilization to cell proliferation [1,2,3]. Regarding the spermine level in circulating system, the normal serum spermine levels were ranged from 10–60 ng/mL with a mean of 28 ng/mL and 8.67 ± 7.33 ng/mL as reported from two studies, respectively [10,11]. Gender is a determining factor in polyamine profiles In males, both urinary and serum spermine levels are significantly higher than those in females (p < 0.01) [12]. Numerous studies have indicated that the level of spermine, its derivatives, and the enzymes involved in spermine metabolism and catabolism pathways are associated with different malignancies [13]. One of the well explored spermine derivative in cancer is N1 , N12 -Diacetylspermine (DiAcSpm), which is produced by two rounds of acetylation of spermine, catalyzed by SAT1/2. We are going to review the changes in spermine level in different human cancers and the possible applications of spermine in cancer treatment regimes in a clinical setup
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
