Investigation of a valuable biochemical indicator in radiotherapy. I. Immunological tests and reticulocyte number

Patients with different cancers were treated by 200-kV X-rays, high-energy X-rays and 60Co-gamma rays. Changes in the immunoglobulin level were observed by immunoelectrophoresis qualitatively and by immunodiffusion quantitatively. Reticulocyte count was made in smears. It was concluded that immunoelectrophoresis was only of limited value in the investigation of a biochemical indicator in radiotherapy; immunodiffusion was more promising. Slight immunosuppressive tendency and return to the control level was observed during treatment. An increase in reticulocyte number during radiotherapy seems to be a good prospect in evaluating the effectivity of the treatment.