Pancreatic cancer is, indisputably, one of the most malignant gastrointesti
nal tumors. Although the etiology of this disease is unknown, it is clearly
linked to alterations in the biologic activities of various signaling mole
cules. Aberrant signaling activities of growth factors and their receptors,
transcription factors, and proteins that control the cell cycle have been
increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis and dissemination of pancreatic
tumors. It is indeed possible that several of these molecules are, in fact
, part of a signaling network that has gone awry. This review summarizes so
me recent advances in an attempt to generate a working model for future inv
estigations.