It has been shown in patients with pancreatic cancer that TF-positive microvesicles co-express the epithelial tumour antigen MUC1 and that surgical pancreatectomy dramatically reduces the circulating level of these microvesicles.57 Direct evaluation of the procoagulant properties of these microvesicles has been demonstrated in mouse models. The gene discussed is MUC1; the disease is pancreatic neoplasm.