Characterization of the mutations of the K-ras, p53, p16, and SMAD4 genes in 15 human pancreatic cancer cell lines

Human pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant diseases in the world. In order to save patients with pancreatic cancer, it is necessary to devel op novel methods for treatment. For such a purpose, a series of well-charac terized cancer cell lines are of great help for in vitro studies that are g enerally the first step in approaching the invention of novel methods for t reatment. In the present study, we analyzed 15 human pancreatic cancer cell lines for genetic alterations of the K-ras, p53, p16, and SMAD4 genes, whi ch are very frequent targets for mutation in pancreatic cancer; these cell lines are useful resources in cancer research.