[Actual problems of searching and studying radiation countermeasures].

The state of radiation counterdrug elaboration has been analyzed. The main criterion of estimation is how various possible radiation incidents are provided with radiation countermeasures. The latter are differentiated in 3 principal groups: radioprotectors, radiomodificators (these are able to have a positive effect when administered preliminary, before the exposure, or provide a delayed nonspecific protection after the exposure--urgent therapy) and hemopoietic growth factors demanding course administration. It should be underlined that the list ofofficinal radiation countermeasures is rather short. The most dynamic now are investigations aimed at developing a home preparation of recombinant human interleukine-1beta named betaleukine, and the preparation CBLB502, a modified microbe polypeptide elaborated in the USA. Also elaborated is a scheme of emergency exposure treatment. It includes urgent administration of the cytokine combination (betaleukine and thrombopoietin) with subsequent supportive therapy and a hemopoietic growth factors course. In the case of medical radiation- and chemotherapy the preparations betaleukine and thiol compound amifostine are used rather seldom. Official countermeasures for protection against low dose rate prolonged exposure are still absent. The problem of an indicator/marker of the radioresistance induced by a radioprotector or radiomodificator still remains unsolved. Reliable indicators/markers are needed to provide the 2nd stage of clinical trials of radioprotectors/modificators.