[Effects of At-211 alpha irradiation on Ehrlich ascites tumor cells]

The biological effect of 211At alpha-particles has been investigated using the Chinese hamster fibroblasts and Ehrlich carcinoma cells growth in vitro. The mean energy of 211At alpha-particles is 6.8 MeV, LET in tissue is 70-160 keV/microns; the half-life period of decomposition of 211At is 7.2 h. The end-points used were a decrease in the mitotic activity, an elevation of the number of degenerating cells, cell with chromosome aberrations and the cell survival. The RBE of alpha-particles in comparison with 60Co gamma-rays is close to 3.