Fluorescent spectral analysis of cells in cancer control strategies

NA Karnaukhova, MSD

Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russian Federation

AIM. The molecular changes in functional mechanisms of cells, induced by different environmental factors, including those increasing the risks in the development of cancer diseases, may be considered as the initial steps of the adaptive and pathological response of whole organism. The aim of this research was to study the changes of the functional activity of cells (energetic, synthesis of nucleic acids or proteins,...), using the fluorescent characteristic parameters. The alpha-parameter, known as the ratio between nucleic acids, may characterize, within certain limits, the synthetic activity of cells or their organelles. METHODS. The fluorescent spectral analysis (FSA) is one of the most sensitive methods used to detect the molecular changes in cells. It is based on the facts that some intracellular compounds (NADH, flavoproteins,...) have characteristic self-fluorescence in visible region of spectrum. Some other compounds, which do not possess self-fluorescence (proteins, nucleic acids,...), may be labeled by some specific fluorochroms. Two cytodiagnostic systems of devices and techniques have been developed: 1.Microspectrofluorimeters, registrating the fluorescent spectra of single cells or intracellular organelles of 1-2 μ in size, are used for fundamental investigations of cell reactions and for discovering and studying of the new dimensionless fluorescent characteristic parameters of cells. 2.Double-wave microfluorimeters are used for the rapid registration of many cells to receive statistical information about cell population. These techniques are useful especially in medical and ecological investigations. (Karnaukhov V.N. Spectral analysis in cell-level monitoring of environmental state. Moscow, Nauka, 2001, 186 p.) RESULTS. FSA of Sarcoma-45 cells in the course of its growth and regression proved to be the most reliable procedure for quantitative evaluation of tumor cell function. The changes in fluorescent spectra of blood cells from patients with lymphosarcoma and leukemia in the course of chemotherapy permited to prognosticate the results of treatment. The found difference in spectra may be used for proper choice and correction of chemotherapy for an individual patient. The investigations, carried out on blood lymphocytes of animals subjected to gamma-radiation, showed a long-term decrease of lymphocyte synthetic activity, indicating a depressed immune reactivity, which accounts for the progress of many diseases, including cancer. (Karnaukhova N.A., Sergiyevich L.A., Aksenova G.Ye., Karnaukhov V.N. Radiat. Environ. Bioph., 1999, V.38, №1, pp. 49-56). CONCLUSIONS. With regard for the fundamentally important role of FSA of cells it apparently makes sense to widely apply the fluorescent methods and techniques in cancer prevention research and the control of neoplastic diseases.

Paper presented at the International Symposium on Predictive Oncology and Intervention Strategies; Nice, France; February 7 - 10, 2004; in poster session 893 (Molecular pathology).