Are there unexploited possibilities for the therapeutic use of radioactive and stable isotopically labeled DNA precursors and extracorporeal irradiation of the blood in treatment of leukemia?

The radiobiology of tritium and iodine-125 is reviewed. The killing of cells and apparent beneficial effect of tritiated thymidine in human leukemia are described. The reasons for considering the use of tritiated thymidine and/or 125I deoxyuridine to attack leukemic cells in sanctuaries are discussed. Photon activation therapy as a method to improve effectiveness of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood is presented showing that one can in principle substantially increase the radiation dose to the leukemic cells and reduce the dose to red cells in transit through the irradiator.