TSPAN8 and exocrine pancreatic carcinoma: Furthermore, Tspan8 expression correlates strongly with metastatic potential in liver, colon and pancreatic carcinoma.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 In colon and liver cancer, Tspan8 exerts a pro-invasive function by controlling cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions through its association with membrane partners such as α6β4 integrin-protein kinase C (PKC)-activated, E-cadherin, EpCAM, claudin-7 and CD44 (for a review, see Hemler10).