Another shared transcription factor among the upregulated DEGs is MYC-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) (Fig. 4B, Additional file 2: Table S2), which has been implicated in promoting pancreatic cancer cell invasion [28]and hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition [36]. Here, MYC is linked to pancreatic neoplasm.