The macrophage migration inhibition (MIF) assay as a marker of colorectal cancer. Studies in patients with colorectal cancer, noncolonic neoplasms, and conditions predisposing to colorectal cancer.

Abstract

A specific macrophage migration inhibition assay, using patient lymphocytes incubated with a human colonic cancer extract, was studied in 92 patients with proven colorectal cancer and in 134 other individuals (20 normal controls, 80 patients with various nonmalignant gastrointestinal diseases, and 34 patients with extracolonic malignancies). A positive response was obtained in 78 of 92 colorectal cancer patients, but in none of the 20 normal controls. A positive response occurred in four of 34 patients with extracolonic malignancies and in approximately half of patients with colonic adenomas and in one third of patients with ulcerative colitis. The significance of positive results in these patients (with diseases considered premalignant) is unclear, and is being studied further. In patients with previous resection of colorectal cancers, positive responses were frequent during the first year following resection, and rare thereafter. The results suggest that this method may be useful as a clinical marker for colorectal cancer, and warrants further technical refinement and study of specific patient populations.