STK11 and familial pancreatic carcinoma: However, Lkb1+/− mice are viable and mirror human Peutz–Jeghers syndrome in that they develop benign intestinal polyps (hamartomas) and have an increased risk of a range of cancers later in life.13-16 However, the consequences of Lkb1 deficiency in the pancreas have not been well-studied thus far, and the mechanisms by which its loss may contribute to pancreatic cancer are unknown.