Abstract: The current disclosure relates to methods for treating pancreatic cancer or chronic pancreatitis in a subject comprising administering an antagonist of a dopamine receptor to the subject wherein the dopamine receptor is, in some specific cases dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2). The antagonist in some specific cases is an RNAi construct, an antibody, or a small molecule and in more specific cases pimozide or L-741,626. The disclosure also relates to diagnostic methods comprising the detection of the expression of DRD2 in pancreatic tissue and kits for doing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel cancer therapeutics for treating pancreatic cancer, and novel diagnostic methods for detecting chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The invention pertains to antagonists of dopamine receptors that inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. The invention in particular offers new therapy options based on the inhibition of the activity or expression of dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2). Diagnostic methods of the invention comprise the detection of the expression of DRD2 in pancreatic tissue. Diagnostic kits are also comprised.