In mouse models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), loss of the antioxidant defense gene Tigar results in both a reduction in the development of early pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia and an increase in invasive and metastatic capacity, accompanied by decreased survival of mice lacking pancreatic TIGAR. This evidence concerns the gene TIGAR and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.