Human pancreatic tumours and cell lines have been shown to express plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), a key inhibitor of fibrinolysis,39 and a study of patients with pancreatic cancer has indicated that elevated plasma levels of PAI-1 antigen and its associated activity might predispose patients to VTE.40 The gene discussed is SERPINE1; the disease is familial pancreatic carcinoma.