Experimental studies have demonstrated that insulin may have growth-promoting effects on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells (Fisher et al, 1996; Wang et al, 1998; Ding et al, 2000) and that peripheral insulin resistance promotes pancreatic ductal carcinogenesis (Bell et al, 1988; Schneider et al, 2001). The gene discussed is INS; the disease is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.