The antitumor ether lipid edelfosine induces apoptosis in CD44+CD24+EpCAM+ pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs) and blocks the formation of pancreatic CSC spheroids, derived from the established human pancreatic cancer cell lines as well as from pancreatic cancer patient-derived primary cultures. The gene discussed is EPCAM; the disease is familial pancreatic carcinoma.