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Diminished Oxidation of ¹⁴C-UL-L-Asparagine to ¹⁴CO₂ in Mice and Humans with Tumors: A Possible Means for Assessing Efficacy of Therapy?

Donner Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California

Correspondence: For reprints contact: Tuhin K. Chaudhuri, Nuclear Medicine Div., University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240.

ABSTRACT

¹⁴CO₂ excretion in the breath was measured after i.v. administration of ¹⁴C-UL-L-asparagine to control mice, to mice with transplanted anaplastic carcinoma and to two humans with plasmoblastic myeloma and lymphoblastic leukemia, respectively. Excretion was measured before and after specific therapy. Tumor-bearing mice excreted approximately 40% less ¹⁴CO₂ than control animals. On the other hand, excretion of ¹⁴CO₂ after administration of ¹⁴C-UL-L-aspartic acid was identical in normal and tumor-bearing mice. After partial extirpation of the tumor, the ¹⁴CO₂ excretion rate following administration of ¹⁴C-UL-L-asparagine increased toward normal values. Concentration of ¹⁴C from labeled asparagine in the mouse tumor was generally greater than in muscle but less than that in liver, spleen and kidney. The two patients showed increased ¹⁴CO₂ excretion following ¹⁴C-asparagine administration after therapy compared with before therapy. ¹⁴CO₂ measurements similar to those described may be useful in assessing efficacy of therapy of tumors. Studies with ¹⁴C substrates other than L-asparagine may prove useful in delineating systemic metabolic abnormalities associated with various neoplastic processes.

FOOTNOTES

^* Present address: See above.