PRKCI and familial pancreatic carcinoma: [17] These data suggest that PKCι plays a required role in human pancreatic cancer. We have previously defined a required role for PKCι in oncogenic K-ras-mediated initiation of preneoplastic lesions of the lung and intestinal epithelium. [15], [16] In this study, we investigated the role of PKCι in oncogenic K-ras signaling and initiation of pancreatic metaplasia using a well-characterized pancreatic explant culture model.