A mutation in the palladin gene was found to segregate with the disease in a family with a clear predisposition for pancreatic cancer, though this has yet to be found in other such kindreds.
It has been reported that germline mutations in the palladin gene (PALLD) cause the familial aggregation of pancreatic cancer, but the evidence is weak and controversial.
Mutations responsible for familial predisposition are mostly unknown, although BRCA2 mutations have been identified in some families and a mutation in the palladin gene has been shown to segregate with pancreatic cancer in one kindred.
However, caution must be used toward the palladin mutation, as several recent publications have questioned its significance as a pancreatic cancer causing mutation.
These observations suggest that the presence of an abnormal palladin gene in familial pancreatic cancer and the overexpression of palladin protein in sporadic pancreatic cancer cause cytoskeletal changes in pancreatic cancer and may be responsible for or contribute to the tumor's strong invasive and migratory abilities.