Evening star., 1951-06-06
Radioactive Medicine
Found in Atomic Studies
Control Of AdrenoI Activity
Possible With Hufnium Use
BY Thomos R. Henry

BY Thomas R. Henry
A radioactive form Of the extremely
rare element hafnium promises to be
about the most significant medicine
yet developed from the atomic energy
program.
Scientists at the Oak Ridge laboratory
Of the Atomic Ehergy Commission have
found that when it is placed In the blood
stream it selectively is absorbed by the
cortex, or outer layer, of the adrenal
glands. In the same way radioactive
iodine selectively is absorbed by the
thyroid.
The possible significance Of this is
difficult to exaggerate. when it is con-
sidered that this cortex is the source Of
some Of the most important hormones
which govern physiological reactions in
cluding the lately celebrated cortisone.
Overactivity, such as Is produced by
tumors, results in weird reactions such
as sex changes and the like.
BY means Of the radiohafnium it has
been possible to control adrenal activity
in experimental animals. according to
Commissioner Sumner T. Pike Of the
Atomic Energy Commission. There is
no reason to doubt that the same results
could be obtained with humans. Adrenal
tumors are not infrequent.
First Isolated in 1928.
Hafnium, one Of the basic 90 elements
in the structure of the earth, remained
unknown until 1923 when it was iso-
lated by two French chemists. It is one
of the rare earths and, like all the
others, is extremely rare.
It always is found mixed with the ele-
ment chromium, to which it chemically
is quite similar This is one reason why
1t remained undiscovered so long. Only
after chromium began to have industrial
importance, but did not always react
according to theory, was the presence OF
a communicating element suspected; and
it was possible to separate it only with
enormous labor. Now the separation
can be accomplished without much dim
Guilty. r-
Presumably the new radioactive form
is produced by neutron bombardment
in the atomic pile. Once absorbed In
the adrenal cortex, 1t acts like A-ray
or radium in cutting down activity and
destroying tumor cells.
It is one Of the three radioactive
isotopes found which are absorbed Sc
lectively by body tissues. Most notable
Of these is radioactive iodine, which has
filled a notable place in medicine. An.
other is radioactive gallium, an element
much like lead, which is absorbed Sc
lectively by bones. Experiments carried
out largely at the Naval Medical Gen.
ter have indicated that it has consider.
able promise in treating bone growths.
Gallium Very Poisonous.
Gallium, however. is very poisonous.
In order to be Of any value, an ex-
tremely minute amount must have an
extremely powerful effect. The strong
est form of gallium iSotope that can
be produced in an atomic pile, 1t now
has been found. is altogether too weak
in amounts sufficient to affect . bone
neoplasm without coming close to
killing or seriously injuring the patient.
Efforts now are being made to produce
q more powerful form by neutron bonn
bardment in cyclotron. s---a
Recently an experimental method OF
treating brain tumors with boron has
been developed at the Massachusetts,
General Hospital in Boston. Ordinary
boron, it was found, selectively is abs
sorbed by such tumors. After receiving
the boron, the head of the patient.
shielded except in the vicinity Of the
tunaor, is placed in an intense beam
of neutrons. This makes the absorbed
boron radioactive. It starts shooting
out alpha particles which kill the sur
rounding tumor cells
Radiocobalt. Mr.. Pike said, continues
to be the most important of the radio
medicines" yet developed. It has all the
desirable properties Of radium without
some Of its bad side effects. 1t Is vastly
cheaper and, being ductile metal, can
be fashioned into forms which will At
almost anywhere in the body. The de-
mand from hospitals has far outrun
the supply, but 1t is hoped to meet
all needs with new facilities now under
construction.