The study has also revealed, for the first time that expression levels of ALCAM in mesothelial cells, the lining of the peritoneal cavity and cancer cells determines the degree of the adhesiveness of gastric and pancreatic cancer cells to mesothelial cells and that this interaction can be ameliorated by blocking the action of ALCAM, in this case, using a soluble ALCAM or a SRC kinase inhibitor. The gene discussed is ALCAM; the disease is familial pancreatic carcinoma.