Abstract
Summary
1. This study determined the in vitro sensitivity to x-rays of the blood cells of 12 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The methods used were time-lapse cinemicrography and direct observations with phase microscopy. Non-irradiated leukemic lymphocytes survived 4 to 7 days under the in vitro conditions. Dosages of 5 to lOOOr reduced survival time of blood cells of 11 out of 12 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. 2. Blood cells of one patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were resistant to dosages of lOOOr but were killed by irradiation with 4000r. This patient was given clinically 180r spray x-ray treatment but the white cell count showed only a slight decline and the patient failed to respond to the therapy. 3. Irradiation with lOOOr produced little or no effect on survival of blood cells from 3 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and 3 with acute leukemia.
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