Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in twelve baboons (Papio spp.)

Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare in nonhuman primates and in humans.

Methods: Twenty-one PNETs from twelve female baboons (Papio spp.) from the Southwest National Primate Research Center were evaluated using histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

Results: Histologically, all tumors were benign and had neuroendocrine packeting. Immunohistochemical staining for synaptophysin and chromogranin was positive in all tumors evaluated (17/17). Insulin was positive in 16 of 21 tumors. Somatostatin was positive in 9 of 20 tumors. Multifocal staining for glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide was evident in a minority of tumors (6/20 and 2/17, respectively). Gastrin and vasoactive intestinal peptide were negative in all tumors evaluated. Nine tumors expressed more than one hormone marker.

Conclusions: This is the first detailed pathologic study of pancreatic endocrine tumors in the baboon. The findings suggest that these tumors are generally benign and have similar morphologic and immunohistochemical features as those described in people, including the ability to express multiple hormones.