Changes in the serum amino acids concentrations after first cycle as a factor predictive of tumor response to chemotherapy

• Published in: Oncología (Barcelona) Vol. 28; no. 7; pp. 21 - 28
• Main Authors: Cobo-Dols, M., Pérez-Miranda, E., Gil-Calle, S., Alés-Díaz, I., Villar-Chamorro, E., Montesa-Pino, A., Alcaide Garcia, J., Carabante-Ocón, F., Benavides-Orgaz, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alpe Editores, S.A 01-07-2005
• Subjects: Amino acids; Chemotherapy; Aminoácidos; Tumor response; Qumioterapia; Respuesta tumoral
• ISSN: 0378-4835; 0378-4835
• DOI: 10.4321/S0378-48352005000700003

OBJECTIVE: To detect variations of the serum amino acids (AA) profile in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to identify factors predicting the response to treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 54 patients with lung, head and neck, and germ cell tumors, the circulating concentrations of 27 AA were prospectively measured at the basal line and following each chemotherapy cycle. RESULTS: We observed changes in the majority of the AA following the first chemotherapy cycle in relation to the basal line. These changes were greater in those patients who responded to chemotherapy. Following the first chemotherapy cycle, the per cent increase with regard to the base line was significantly greater for 17 AA in subjects responding to therapy when compared with those who did not respond. CONCLUSIONS: In patients responding to therapy, a rapid rise of the majority of the AA following the first cycle appears to be an early indicator of tumor response to cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.