On the effects of beta rays from radium upon division and growth of cancer cells

Abstract

A dose of Beta rays can be given to Jensen’s rat sarcoma (J. R. S.) which is just enough to prevent the cells growing when transplanted into normal susceptible rats ; this has been referred to as the lethal dose (1). It is not known whether this effect is produced by inhibiting mitosis or whether growth is interfered with so that cells fail to mature, thus cutting off the supply of potentially dividing cells. The following experiments were designed to show especially how the growth and division of sarcoma cells are affected by exposure to measured doses of Beta radiation. Independent experiments by Hertwig (2) and by one of us (3) have shown that cells are most susceptible to radiation when they are in a state of division. On the other hand, it was shown by Wedd (4) that cells of a mouse carcinoma which had received a “ lethal dose ” of Beta rays could still be found in a state of mitosis as long as six days after they had been inoculated into a susceptible animal. It will be seen, however, from the context, that it is possible to reconcile the idea of the state of mitosis being one which is peculiarly vulnerable to radiation with the fact that, after a lethal dose, numbers of the cells are afterwards found in mitotic activity.