Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-associated death. It is currently the fourth highest cause of cancer death in developed countries.

Prevention of pancreatic cancer or early diagnosis at a curable stage is extremely difficult. This is due to the fact that in the early stages of disease patients rarely exhibit symptoms and the tumours do not display sensitive and specific markers to aid in its detection. Fewer than 20% of patients have surgically resectable disease and approximately 80% of patients will relapse after surgery and ultimately die of their disease.