1. When the D.S.P. strain of influenza virus A is grown in eggs into which 100 μc. of radioactive inorganic phosphate has been introduced the virus incorporates32P into its structure.2. Some 20–25% of the virus32P is found in the virus phospholipid; the remainder is combined with the virus protein and is probably present in the virus nucleic acid.3. When the virus is disintegrated by ether treatment with the liberation of separate red-cell agglutinating and complement-fixing ‘soluble antigen’ particles the non-lipid32P is found to be associated with the soluble antigen fraction and not with the haemagglutinin.4. It is suggested that the complement-fixing soluble antigen is a nucleoprotein while the haemagglutinin is a phosphorus-free protein.

WHILE there is a vast literature on the effects of oestrogens and androgens on tumours, only a few reports have appeared in the last two or three years on clinical experience with progestins in human cancer. Kelley and Baker (1961 Loraine and Strong (1960) who studied the effects of 19-norethistosterone oenanthate, an early non-marketed German product. Only one patient in their series showed a favourable response. The indications for the use of a hormone which appears to exert its biological activity through an influence on connective tissue structures need hardly be stressed. The availability of a long acting progesterone preparation in the form of Primolut Depot (Delalutin in U.S.A.) prompted, in 1957, the start of a study of its growthrestraining effects in a small series of cases of advanced malignant tumours of breast, ovary and uterus. The findings and the discussion of the rationale of treatment are the subject of this preliminary note. THE HORMONE AND CLINICAL MATERIALIt is generally accepted that the pharmacological properties of synthetic progesterone are comparable to natural corpus luteum hormone. The disadvantage of its low solubility, hence underdosage in clinical use, has been overcome by the development of hydroxyprogesterone capronate by hydrolysis from progesterone. Concentrated in Primolut Depot -up to 250 mg. in 1 ml. of oily solution it has an activity lasting over one week. Other derivatives such as 17a-alkyl-19-nor-testosterone (Junkmann, 1954) with the trade name of Primolut N and 17ac-ethinyl-17-hydroxy-5(10)-oestren-3-one, enhanced by etbinyloestradiol 3-methyl ether, marketed as Enavid, have the advantage of a marked oral activity. The capronate form has a progestational action, prompt and twice as marked and 2 to 4 times more prolonged than free progesterone. Kistner (1958) claims that Primolut Depot in comparison with free 17a-hydroxyprogesterone is 30 times more effective and 5 times more prolonged in its action. It is claimed to have a weak anti-gonadotrophic action and, similar to progesterone, little effect on the menstrual cycle. It has shown no androgenic effects in animal experiments (Suchowsky and Junkmann, 1961).

THE focusing of attention on the malignant cell in the study of tumour tissue reactions to radiations and growth inhibitory substances has not brought us nearer the state of affairs where both practical and theoretical issues of oncology and treatment of tumours can be studied with a better understanding and fairer prospects of success. The importance of the stroma reaction to tumour and stromal reaction to radiation has been accepted for a long time, but only with generalizations on changes in "blood supply" and "tumour bed," leaving the whole problem of connective tissue reaction in a hazy state. As regards tumour tissue reaction to radiation, much stress has been laid in the past on the changes following irradiation in the cells alone, but very little attention has been paid to the intercellular tissue components. Although recent advances in cytology and genetics have enhanced the importance of the cellular nucleus, it must not be forgotten that evidence, both experimental and clinical, is available to show that the effect of ionizing radiations on cells alone "is not the whole story of the events leading to the destruction of proliferating tissues and that other factors come into play" (Muller, 1940). The great importance of connective-tissue reactions to X-rays in radiotherapeutics has been raised by Windeyer (1942), Ellis (1942), Windholz (1947). The preservation of the connective-tissue structures which contribute to repair and recovery has been taken into account in a quantitative biological control of optimal and effective dose levels in X-ray and interstitial radium therapy, and the importance of the peripheral neighbouring regions which exercise an influence on the reaction in the irradiated areas or volumes of tissues has been stressed (Jolles, 1946a, b; 1947; 1948). Conceptions of indirect action and effects on tumour cells are coming more and more to the forefront, and a clear definition of aims and avoidance of terms borrowed from radiochemistry seems of great importance. In the study of the tissue reactions to ionizing radiations several effects have to be gone into separately: (1) The direct effect of radiations on cells (intracellular effect (Koller and Smithers, 1946)). (2) The direct effect on the intercellular elements. (3) The effects on cells caused by the stroma (stromal effect). (4) The effects on cells and stroma in the irradiated tissues caused by the neighbouring tissues (external effect, Jolles).

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