title: Molecular signatures of pancreatic cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The introduction of genome- and epigenome-wide screening techniques has dramatically improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of pancreatic cancer. There are now 3 recognized histologic precursors of pancreatic cancer: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, and mucinous cystic neoplasm. Each of these precursor lesions is associated with specific molecular alterations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To understand the molecular characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its precursor lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed (US National Library of Medicine).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this review, we briefly summarize recent research findings on the genetics and epigenetics of pancreatic cancer. In addition, we characterize these molecular alterations in the context of the histologic subtypes of pancreatic cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Seung-Mo
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Jason Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ralph H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Hruban
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goggins
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D039781:PubMed
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor