MAPK8 and pancreatic neoplasm: Ceramide and paclitaxel synergistically activate ERK and JNK, leading to cell death in pancreatic cancer cells [9], Inhibition of JNK fails to inhibit ceramide, paclitaxel, or both-induced JNK and ERK activities, while inhibition of ERK both inhibits ERK and JNK, thereby enhancing cytotoxicity [9].