Recent studies have shown that downregulating Mcl‐1 enhances the sensitivity of human pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine and radiation, resulting in increased levels of apoptosis.9, 16 Furthermore, knockdown of Mcl‐1 in pancreatic cancer cells treated with ABT‐737 triggers apoptosis, indicating Mcl‐1 as an important and significant therapeutic target in this type of cancer.17 This evidence concerns the gene MCL1 and cancer.