Although no significant correlation was identified between ASK1 expression and lymph node (LN) metastasis, pathological tumor node metastasis (pTNM) stage, or the level of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), the standard serum marker for pancreatic cancer, ASK1 expression significantly correlated with the histological grade of pancreatic cancer (Figure 2A-2D). The gene discussed is MAP3K5; the disease is familial pancreatic carcinoma.