ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the potential clinical use of tumor markers, specifically carcinoembryonic antigen and lactate dehydrogenase-k (LDHk), in the human and cotton-top tamarin populations. The plan was to look at serum levels of LDHk in the cotton-top tamarin, since this tamarin species is at high risk in 35% of adults for developing colon cancer and this animal model would be a unique environment in which to test the efficacy of LDHk. Serum markers may be used to develop probes for blood serum tests, tissue in vitro testing, or radioimmunodetection. The most widely studied tumor markers include the oncofetal antigens as well as other tumor antigens, hormones, and enzymes. Lactate dehydrogenase-k is a major anoxic stress response protein which is expressed by normal cells subjected to hypoxic conditions. The chapter presents data that demonstrate an association between metastatic colorectal cancer and the appearance of LDHk in the serum of patients with this carcinoma.
