SPINK1 and neoplasm: Human serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) is also known as tumor associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI), however, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its oncogenic action remains largely unknown and controversial [1] SPINK1 has been found to be overexpressed in multiple types of tumors [2], and its overexpression was closely linked to the proliferation and invasion of several kinds of tumor cells [2,3] and the high level of its expression was associated with disease progression and poor prognosis in certain types of cancer patients [4].