A prospective evaluation of the leukocyte adherence inhibition test in colorectal cancer and its correlation with carcinoembryonic antigen levels.

Fifty-four patients from the surgical gastroenterology service and 22 healthy controls have been prospectively evaluated in a single-blind protocol by the LAI tube method. The LAI correctly identified 25 of 33 early colorectal patients staged as Dukes' B and C at surgery but none of the Dukes' D patients. An inverse relationship was seen between the results of the non-adherence index (NAI) and CEA levels which was most pronounced in those with advanced colorectal cancer. The majority of Dukes' B and C patients having a "false negative" LAI had a CEA level greater than 2.5 ng/ml, suggesting that more advanced disease than that seen at surgery may be present. Two of 22 normal controls gave a borderline positive NAI. Some technical problems, including the relatively short life of the tumor extracts, are discussed.