Radiosensitivity of Hodgkin's disease lymphocytes

Blood lymphocyte subpopulations from 10 untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease and 10 healthy controls were examined with respect to their radiosensitivity in vitro. T-cells (E-rosette forming) were more sensitive in 7 out of the 10 patients whereas these cells appeared to be relatively radioresistant in all control persons. However, a subpopulation of T-cells forming "active" E-rosettes, was relatively resistant in 9 of the patients and all of the controls. Non-T-cells (EAC-rosette forming) were equally sensitive in patients and in controls.