This study confirms that loss of chromosomes, particularly chromosomes 17 and 18, which carry the p53 and DCC genes, are common in pancreas cancer.Chromosome 20 is also frequently lost.
The DPC4/SMAD4 gene, lying in close proximity to the DCC gene at 18q21.1, was recently identified as a candidate tumor suppressor for the genesis of pancreatic cancer as well as a predisposing gene for Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome (JPS).