Antipolyamine antibodies were produced following im munization of New Zealand white rabbits with thyro

Antipolyamine antibodies were produced following im munization of New Zealand white rabbits with thyro globulin spermine conjugate, using multiple-site injection and macrophage-harvesting techniques. The antispermine antibody in a radioimmunoassay system cross-reacted with spermidine (22%), putrescine (1%), diaminopropane (6%), and cadaverine (0.16%). No reaction with L-lysine, orni thine, or histamine was noted. Using this antibody, the radioimmunoassay for direct determination of serum poly amines was developed. A sensitivity of 200 pg was achieved on human serum samples. This radioimmunoassay would appear to be a useful tool for the detection and monitoring of a variety of pathophysiological states associated with abnormal polyamine metabolism, i.e., cancer.