Colon tumor specific nuclear antigen with potential as a pre-tumor diagnostic probe.

Tumor specific nuclear antigen was demonstrated in early stages of chemically-induced colon carcinogenesis. At these early stages, there is no observable nuclear or cytoplasmic alteration in the colon mucosae. The rise in tumor specific nuclear antigen in carcinogen-treated animals can be abolished by simultaneous treatment with carcinogen inhibitor. The potential for tumor specific nuclear antigen to be used as a pretumor diagnostic probe is discussed.