The serine/threonine kinase Akt/mTOR pathway is constitutively activated in most pancreatic cancer cell lines and is associated with tolerance of nutrient deprivation,41 tumour progression and metastasis.42 Three previously identified anti‐austerity agents have been shown to suppress Akt activation43, 44, 45 and it is believed their activity derives at least in part from this. This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and pancreatic neoplasm.