Abundant OATP1B3 staining was also observed in islet as well as ductal cells of diseased tissues of patients with pancreatitis or pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Additionally, because expression of OATP1B3 is highest in pancreatitis and stage one adenocarcinoma, which leads to pancreatic cancer, OATP1B3 is a potential marker to diagnose patients with early stage pancreatic adenocarcinomas.