Mechanistic analysis and chemoprevention of pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Thirteen presentations given at a workshop held in November 1997, under the sponsorship of The Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund in Nara, Japan, are summarized. Topics include studies of initiation, promotion, and chemoprevention in animal models of pancreatic carcinogenesis, molecular and histopathologic studies of human carcinomas, and epidemiologic studies. A recurring focus was to explore ways that knowledge of molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and molecular abnormalities in carcinomas can guide approaches for prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer.