Present state and prospects of development of methods and facilities of the radioimmunological microanalysis in the USSR

In the USSR, more than 300 research establishments have used in vitro radiodiagnostic kits for determination of 89 compounds. The laboratory equipped with standard Soviet radiometric apparatus permits to carry out up to 500 tests within one working day. The work on the problems related to the application of in vitro investigation methods in medical practice is carried out at the leading establishments, such as the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Academy of Sciences of the Byelorussian SSR and CIAMS of the Ministry of Public Health of the USSR. In accordance with the adopted scientific and technical program of research on radioimmunological analysis in the USSR, the work is conducted in the following basic directions: radioimmunological analyses in (a) endocrinology, (b) oncology, (c) cardiology, (d) the evaluation of reproductive function of human beings, and (e) pediatrics. In this report, these five issues are discussed in detail. It is stressed that radioimmunological analysis would contribute to not only all branches of medicine but also public health services. (Namekawa, K.)