Lectin histochemistry and carcinoembryonic antigen in spontaneous colonic cancers of cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus).

The glycoconjugate-binding properties and the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen in colonic cancers of cotton-top tamarins at the German Primate Center are described. Deviating from findings in non-tumorous colonic epithelia of cotton-top tamarins was the presence of UEA-, SBA-, or DBA-binding sites in the infranuclear cytoplasm of colonic epithelial cells, staining of entire cells, and the occurrence of subepithelial extracellular glycoconjugates in and adjacent to colonic cancers. Carcinoembryonic antigen, which normally was limited to the fuzzy coat of the colonic epithelium, was demonstrated in the cytoplasm of the cancer cells.