SHH and familial pancreatic carcinoma: In several of our recent reports, we have demonstrated that for the prevention of pancreatic cancer, a variety of natural products and small molecules displayed antiproliferative properties through targeting the sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Upon binding of the Shh ligand to transmembrane Patched (Ptch) receptor results in the withdrawal of inhibitory effects of Patched on smoothened.5 Thus, the pathway is activated via smoothened through Hh protein stimulation or by the loss of patched activity through Ptch mutations.