Takeuchi et al (1993) could already demonstrate a high PAI-1 expression in human pancreatic carcinomas in an immunohistochemical study. There are data advocating that the uPA/uPAR/PAI-1 system is activated in advanced pancreatic cancer and may account for the tumour's aggressive behaviour (Smith et al, 2007). This evidence concerns the gene PLAUR and familial pancreatic carcinoma.