TMPRSS4, SERPINB5, ECT2, and AHNAK2 are overexpressed in LIGD-IPMN, HGD-IPMN, and InvCa-IPMN as well as in PanINs, as compared to normal pancreas, demonstrating that enhanced expression of multiple genes linked to metastasis and PDAC progression occurs early on during malignant development. The gene discussed is ECT2; the disease is pancreatic intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm.