INFLUENCE OF TETRACHLORODECAOXIDE (RYOXON(R)) ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEUKEMIA AFTER TOTAL-BODY GAMMA-IRRADIATION

The effect of tetrachlorodecaoxide (TCDO) treatment after total-body i rradiation (TBI) with gamma-rays (single dose, about LD 50) on the dev elopment of radiation-induced leukemia was tested in rats. TCDO was ap plied intravenously from day 4 through day 11. The control group was e xposed to the same dosage of X-rays (TBI), but received physiological saline solution instead of TCDO. Compared to the control group, TCDO t herapy initially markedly increased the survival rate: 72 versus 44% ( 6 months after TBI) and 36 versus 20% (1-year survival rate). The over all survival, however, was not significantly prolonged. TBI caused leu kemia in 36% of the rats in the irradiation control group without TCDO treatment, however, none of 24 rats treated with TCDO after X-ray exp osure developed leukemia. Since in this study TCDO was only administer ed for 8 days during the acute phase of radiation syndrome, we suppose that additional TCDO treatment at various times later on would lead t o even better results.