On tests of equal effect per fraction in microcolony assays of survival after fractionated irradiations.

H. D. Thames, Jr. and H. R. Withers [Br. J. Radiol. 53, 1071-1077 (1980)] propose a test of an equal effect per fraction in microcolony assays after fractionated radiation, in which the total effect is measured by counting microcolonies derived from surviving cells in a tissue. The factors considered to influence the cytocidal effect per fraction are incomplete repair, repopulation, and synchrony. The statistics used in the method are criticized and conditions are given under which the test should not be used. An alternative method of testing for an equal effect per fraction is proposed. The pros and cons of each test are discussed and compared using some mouse jejunal crypt cell survival data.