Electron microscopic x-ray microanalysis of normal and leukemic human lymphocytes.

A comparative study of the elemental content of normal and leukemic cells was undertaken on a few subjects, using electron microscopic x-ray microanalysis. Phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, calcium, copper, and zinc were detected in intracellular loci. The concentration of some of the above elements appeared to be disease related. In leukemic lymphocytes, the nuclear zinc was significantly lower than that recorded in normal lymphocytes, while the phosphorus was only moderately decreased. This suggests a faulty zinc uptake or binding in leukemic cells. The possible consequences of intracellular zinc deficiency are discussed.