NMR spectroscopy in tumors

Alterations in the levels of phospholipid metabolites and variations of intracellular pH may represent early biochemical responses of cells to altered conditions of proliferation in vitro and in vivo. These metabolic alterations can be studied by /sup 31/P NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) in intact tissues, by respectively analyzing the resonances contributing the phosphorylmonoester and phosphoryldiester spectral profiles and monitoring the chemical shift of inorganic phosphate signal. A review is presented of studies carried out in the last five years to assess the value of these spectral variations for monitoring early responses of experimental tumors to the antitumor activity of two biological response modifiers, namely murine interferon alpha / beta and recombinant tumor necrosis factor.<>