Suramin selectively inhibits carcinoma cell growth that is dependent on extracellular polyamines.
Polyamines are necessary for tumour cell growth. Inhibition of endogenous polyamine biosynthesis results in compensatory up-regulation of polyamine uptake. Here, the combined effect of suramin and the polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) on human carcinoma cell proliferation was studied. Suramin selectively inhibited the growth of tumour cells made dependent on ext