This hypothesis is supported by the observation that experimental inhibition of Nrf2 activity via in vitro RNA interference inhibits cell proliferation and increases tumor apoptosis in human pulmonary and pancreatic cancer derived lineages [23,36], while enhancing the efficacy of in vitro and in vivo chemotherapy in subcutaneous tumor models (non-small cell lung cancer or pancreatic tumor lines) [24,37]. This evidence concerns the gene NFE2L2 and familial pancreatic carcinoma.