REG gene products are known neurotrophic factors for motoneurons88, and are upregulated in the CNS following injury or disease where they have strong neuroprotective/neuroregenerative effects.89 In the pancreas, REG3A expression by stressed acinar cells is central to perineural invasion of pancreatic cancer90 and as such, may contribute to severe cancer pain. The gene discussed is REG1A; the disease is cancer.