Next, by using GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier Plotter, we found that HSF1 mRNA level has limited correlation to poor prognosis (overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS)) of pancreatic cancer patients (Additional file 1: Fig. S1F-H), and HSF1 target genes, such as HSPA1A/HSP90AA1, were elevated in pancreatic cancer compared to in the normal pancreas (Additional file 1: Fig. S1I and J). Here, HSF1 is linked to familial pancreatic carcinoma.