To investigate this, we exposed cancer cells to platelets or the releasate from aggregated platelets and examined the level of several proteins that are known to impart gemcitabine resistance in PDAC (Slug, CDD, hENT1) and the phosphorylated level of the survival signalling molecules such as Protein kinase B (also known as Akt) and Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk). This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and cancer.