An instance of clinical radiation morbidity and cellular radiosensitivity, not associated with ataxia-telangiectasia.
A 14-year-old boy received standard induction chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia followed by standard dose cranial radiation prophylaxis (18 Gy). Severe chemosensitivity and acute radiation reactions occurred and he died at 8 months from late radiation damage. In vitro radiobiological studies of the boy's fibroblasts in culture demonstrated an enhanced radiosensitivity indistinguishable from ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) cells. However, unlike A-T cells, DNA synthesis following irradiation was inhibited in a normal manner. This patient represents yet another example of extreme radiosensitivity, and the possibility of clinical prediction in the future is discussed.
Department of Radiotherapy, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
P N
PN
Plowman
B A
BA
Bridges
C F
CF
Arlett
A
A
Hinney
J E
JE
Kingston
D000293:Adolescent; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D004247:DNA