By comparing the diagnostic performances of these four different proteins in combination with CA 19-9, the researchers then proceeded to generate a biomarker panel consisting of APOA4, TIMP1 and CA 19-9 that showed better performance in distinguishing early stage PDAC (stage I and II) from those with pancreatitis (90% specificity and 85.5% sensitivity). The gene discussed is TIMP1; the disease is pancreatitis.