Characteristics of stromal colony-forming cells of human bone marrow in the presence of lymphogranulomatosis. [Gamma radiation]

Bone marrow was removed from the sternum or ilium of patients with lymphogranulomatosis and exposed to gamma radiation. Irradiated and nonirradiated suspensions were used for explantation. The effectiveness of colony formation was estimated according to the number of colonies formed per 10/sup 6/ explanted cells. The curves of survival of colony-forming bone marrow cells as a function of radiation dose were close to exponential in patients with active disease and in those with remission. Changes in bone marrow cells indicated transformed colony-producing cells in bone marrow of patients with an active disease. (HLW)