Identification of carcinoembryonic antigen in the C-cell of the normal thyroid

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) activity was confirmed in the C-cell of the normal thyroid by immunohistochemical techniques. This suggests that CEA production in medullary carcinoma of the thyroid is not initiated by carcinogenesis, but reflects a function of the normal C-cell. It is not yet clear whether CEA production in the C-cell may be influenced by carcinogenesis. The C-cell is the first APUD cell that was confirmed to have CEA activity.