The Nation - News from Aug. 29, 1985

Doctors have found they can accurately pinpoint the origin and type of cancerous blood cells, improving diagnosis and treatment, by using microscopic probes that delve into the genes of renegade cells. The work might lead to a treatment that could zero in on cancerous blood cells and not harm healthy ones. The technique is a practical outgrowth of significant advances over the last two years in understanding the basic biology of a key variety of disease-fighting white blood cells known as T lymphocytes. Three reports on the use of the new tool were published in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.