Translational research in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer is ranked as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States despite intensive basic and clinical research over the last decade. In this paper we summarize the Abstracts #176, #234, and #206 presented at the 2014 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium focussing on BRCA 1 and 2 mutations, PABL gene mutations and expression of microRNAs to matrix metalloproteinase. There is an intense need for new findings in the translational research field with prognostic, predictive and therapeutic value.