It has been shown that the basic helix-loop-helix (BHLH) transcription factor differentiated embryonic chondrocyte gene 1 (DEC1/BHLHE40/Stra13) is strongly expressed in oral, thyroid, breast, gastric and pancreatic cancers and in hepatocellular carcinoma cells compared to non-cancerous cells. Here, BHLHE40 is linked to familial pancreatic carcinoma.