Binding of antibodies against human prealbumin to intestinal and bronchial carcinoids and to pancreatic endocrine tumours.

Antibodies against human prealbumin (HPA) give a strong immunoperoxidase staining of the A (glucagon) pancreatic cells and of glucagon-, insulin- and gastrin-producing pancreatic tumours. The majority of intestinal and bronchial carcinoids are also reactive. The staining may be related to presence in the C-terminal sequence of HPA of determinants in common with polypeptide (pro-) hormones.