The TRAIL- or gemcitabine-induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells, enhanced by Smac-mimic polypeptide, may be associated with the activity of intracellular pro-apoptotic proteins such as Smac/DIABLO, cytochrome C, XIAP and caspase-3. This evidence concerns the gene TNFSF10 and familial pancreatic carcinoma.