Electron paramagnetic resonance investigation of high‐spin iron (III) in cancer

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Abstract
The concentration of iron (III)–transferrin (IT) in whole blood and serum, along with another high‐spin (five unpaired electrons) iron complex (probably IT) accumulated by tumor tissue, was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy during the development of Murphy–Sturm rat lymphosarcoma. The observed changes in concentration (μg/ml) of IT in sera/blood were generally complementary to those from tissue and the character of the modifications suggested the existence of three distinct phases of systemic response to the implantation: (1) an initial response, evidenced by a sharp reduction in serum IT and somewhat high tissue‐IT concentration (μg/g); (2) a period in which the tumor is becoming established, indicated by relatively constant tissue IT levels and near normal serum IT; and (3) the onset of rapid cell multiplication, characterized by increased total tissue‐IT accumulation that rises to above 200% of normal available serum iron, increasing tissue‐IT concentration, and rapidly declining serum‐IT concentration. The results suggest that, in the face of an implanted tumor there are two detectable abnormal serum‐IT responses: (1) an initial change, probably due to systemic blockage of iron reutilization; and (2) extraction of IT from serum by multiplying tumor cells, which is probably a major contributor to reduced serum‐IT levels and ultimately anemia.

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