Therapeutic response of tumors by in vitro proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

Proton NMR spectra of perchloric acid extracts of methyl cholantherene induced tumors grown in rats have been analyzed and compared with the normal and the treated tumor tissue samples. Well-resolved resonances from numerous low-molecular weight compounds including various amino acids, nucleotides, choline, creatine, phosphocreatine etc. were observed and assigned using pH titration, 2D NMR and by comparison with the spectra of model compounds. Significant differences were noticed in the spectra of the tumor and the normal tissue samples. Ratios of metabolite levels were calculated for the normal, tumor and treated tumor tissues which are shown as good markers to assess the state of the tumor and their response to treatment.