| This study compares the results of the MIF technique with serum carcinoembryonic antigen ( CEA ) levels and with the lymphocyte adherence inhibition ( LAI ) test in 18 colon cancer patients and 27 patients with conditions considered to predispose to colon cancer ( colonic adenomas , ulcerative colitis , and Crohn ' s disease ) . ^^^ Among colonic cancer patients , MIF and LAI were positive in 17 out of 18 , but CEA was elevated in eight . ^^^ MIF and CEA were negative in all 16 normal control subjects ; LAI was negative in 13 . ^^^ Among patients with colonic adenomas , MIF and LAI were positive in three of five ; CEA was negative in all . ^^^ In the ulcerative colitis and Crohn ' s disease group , MIF was positive in seven of 22 , LAI was positive in 11 , and CEA was negative in all 22 . ^^^ |