Uptake of sulphate 35S by leukaemic human bone marrow in vivo.

A previous communication has reported the specific uptake of 35S sulphate by the myeloid cells of human bone marrows in vitro (Lajtha, Ellis, and Oliver, 1953). Experiments in vivo on rats and rabbits confirmed the findings in vitro: uptake by the early myeloid cells, and no uptake by the nucleated red cells or lymphocytes. Repeated large doses of 35S sulphate (1-2,uC/g. daily for seven days) were found to be non-toxic in animals. In view of the localization of the isotope in the myeloid foci of the marrow and of the low energy emission of 35S (0.167 MeV), a fairly localized irradiation of the myeloid cells of the bone marrow could be expected. It was decided to attempt to study the uptake of 35S sulphate in vivo in human bone marrow, and to investigate the effect of such treatment in acute leukaemia.