Pancreatic Cancer Cells (IMAGE) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Caption Most pancreatic cancer cells have mutations in the KRAS gene that allow unregulated growth. In this image, the mutant, cancer-causing version of the KRAS protein is stained red in pancreatic cancer cells. KRAS outlines the plasma membrane -- the outer layer of the cell. Cell nuclei are stained blue. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers discovered a new mechanism that might explain how pancreatic cancer cells develop resistance to drug treatments that target the KRAS protein. Credit Derek Cheng/Tuveson lab/CSHL, 2021 Usage Restrictions Attribution required License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.