ARGON-LASER INDUCED AUTOFLUORESCENCE MAY DISTINGUISH BETWEEN NORMAL AND TUMOR HUMAN UROTHELIAL CELLS - A MICROSPECTROFLUOROMETRIC STUDY

Purpose: To assess the ability of argon laser-induced autofluorescence spectroscopy (LIAFS) to discriminate normal from tumor human urotheli al cells. Materials and Methods: Emission spectra of single living cel ls excited at 488 nm. have been studied with a confocal microspectrofl uorimeter. Results: Cellular autofluorescence appeared as a broad band with a maximum in the same ''green'' spectral range, 550 to 560 nm., probably corresponding to oxidized flavoprotein emission. However, the maximum autofluorescence intensity of normal urothelial cells was muc h higher, 10 times (p < 0.0001) that of any of the tumor cell types te sted. Conclusion: These results, suggesting a significantly reduced ox idized flavoprotein concentration in tumor urothelial cells, should pr ompt us to evaluate argon LIAFS as a potential tool to detect occult u rothelial severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ.