Three of these 11 genes (NPTX2, SARP2, and CLDN5) were selected for further analysis in a larger panel of specimens, and aberrant methylation of at least one of these three genes was detectable in 100% of 43 primary pancreatic cancers and in 18 of 24 (75%) pancreatic juice samples obtained from patients with pancreatic cancer. Here, SFRP1 is linked to familial pancreatic carcinoma.