Other proteins, such as HOOK1, TYMP, TEX12, FBN1, CLDN18, THY1, MUC5AC, CST6, WFDC2, PIK3IP1, and SERPINA4, were predominantly expressed in LGD or invasive IPMN but not in other groups (Fig. 8, Additional file 1: Fig. S7). Here, TEX12 is linked to pancreatic intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm.