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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2014; 20(31): 10778-10789
Published online Aug 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i31.10778
Genetic predisposition to pancreatic cancer
Paola Ghiorzo
Paola Ghiorzo, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genoa and IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazioanle per la Ricerca sul Cancro, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Author contributions: Ghiorzo P designed and wrote the review.
Supported by Università degli Studi di Genova Progetti di Ricerca di Ateneo PRA 2012-2013, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, 5 per 1000 per la Ricerca Corrente
Correspondence to: Paola Ghiorzo, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genoa and IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazioanle per la Ricerca sul Cancro, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy. paola.ghiorzo@unige.it
Telephone: +39-10-3538949 Fax: +39-10-3537543
Received: November 18, 2013
Revised: February 8, 2014
Accepted: March 19, 2014
Published online: August 21, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the most deadly of the common cancers. Identifying families with hereditary pancreatic cancer can aid appropriate selection of individuals who are at high risk and are good candidates for prevention and screening programs. Although genetic predisposition to pancreatic cancer remains largely unexplained, next-generation sequencing is likely to provide important insights. Candidate genes have been described and patients considered for screening protocols should first be tested for germline mutations in these genes. In specific pancreatic cancer populations, including Italy, hereditary cancer predisposition genes such as CDKN2A also explain a considerable fraction of hereditary pancreatic cancers.