Phospholipids and Calcium Uptake in Experimental Tumors

Abstract

The comparative study of the intracellular distribution of phospholipids and ⁴⁵Ca uptake by experimental tumors indicates that there is a relationship between calcium incorporation and phospholipid concentration. The protein also seems to play a role in that incorporation. The phospholipids in tumor microsomal fraction (tumor-cell membranes) show a tendency to increase as a function of the time of growth. The same occurs in kidney of tumor-bearing animals. Hepatoma BW7756 presents a lower phospholipid content than normal liver. An inverse relationship between malignancy of the tumor and phospholipid concentration in the microsomal fraction seems likely.

Lymphocytes and Cells in Malignant Transformation

“…Normal intercellular junctions close off with increased intracellular Ca++ concentration (29). Tumour cells have increased Ca++ uptake and concentration with respect to their normal counterparts (1) and are often overtly calcified.…”