[Main milestones of development and application of ductal cytometry at the Russian Federal Research Center for Radiology and Surgical Technology, St. Petersburg].

Ductal cytometry provides data on cellular DNA and RNA levels and overall profile of specific proteins identifiable by monoclonal antibodies. Results of its long-term use in clinical and oncological research are presented. Application of dosage ranging 0.28-1.1 mGy/sec was followed by stable 1.8-2-fold increase in the myelokariocyte profile cbering DNA synthesis. Bone marrow proliferation did not increase until relatively low dosage was used. A study of combined effects of prolonged gamma irradiation and lead and cadmium ions on rat's hemopoiesis pointed to radiation as the sole causative factor when cadmium chloride was used. Hemopoietic characteristics came back to normal when a combination of lead acetate and ionizing radiation was used, as a result of the oppositely directed action of the two factors. Standard monoclonal antibodies should not be employed for evaluating immunological vigor of patients with malignant gliomas due to the presence of a specific pathological link in their immune system.