MICROSCOPIC FTIR STUDIES OF LUNG-CANCER CELLS IN PLEURAL FLUID

Structural changes associated with lung cancer and tuberculous cells i n pleural fluid were studied by microscopic FTIR spectroscopy. Infrare d spectra demonstrate significant spectral differences between normal, lung cancer and tuberculous cells. The ratio of the peak intensities of the 1030 and 1080 cm(-1) bands (originated mainly in glycogen and p hosphodiester groups of nucleic acids) differs greatly between normal and lung cancer samples. Such findings prompt the consideration that r ecording infrared spectra from lung cancer and tuberculous cells may b e of diagnostic value. Since measurements of IR spectra of lung cancer cells in the pleural fluid can be a very rapid inexpensive process, o ur finding warrant exploration of this possibility in the investigatio n of the mechanism whereby the environmental pollution related cancers develop. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.