PKD1 overexpression or activation has been reported to facilitate survival and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells.19 In addition, PKD1 is involved in transdifferentiation of pancreatic acinar cells to a duct-like, pluripotent progenitor cell type (ADM, acinar-to-ductal metaplasia), leading to the initiation of pancreatic cancer.8,20 Although studies suggest the oncogenic role of PKD1 in pancreatic cancer, the precise mechanisms directly influencing the PKD1-induced tumorigenic characteristics are not elucidated. This evidence concerns the gene PKD1 and familial pancreatic carcinoma.