We have investigated the effects of potent MEK inhibitors, such as GSK1120212, the PI3K inhibitors, such as BEZ235, and the HDAC inhibitors, such as TSA, on cell viability and apoptosis induction in metastatic PDAC cell lines maintained in 2D culture (i.e. monolayers in tissue culture), 3D culture (i.e. spheroids in suspension) or in vivo as tumor xenografts. The gene discussed is MAP2K7; the disease is neoplasm.