['The recombination factor Rad51 is highly expressed in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In this study we asked whether high-level expression of Rad51 antigen stimulates a B-cell response leading to Rad51-specific autoantibodies in human pancreatic cancer patients.', 'Sera of patients suffering from pancreatic cancer (57) as well as sera of healthy donors (86) were screened for Rad51 autoantibodies by Western-blot analysis. Rad51 over-expressing cell lines were used as antigen source.', 'Four out of 57 (7%) sera tested were found positive for Rad51 autoantibodies of IgG subclass, while all 86 control sera were negative.'] Do autoantibodies in sera of pancreatic cancer patients identify recombination factor Rad51 as a tumour-associated antigen?