Despite the advances in the knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis, pancreatic cancer remains a devastating disease with an 5-year survival rate below 5%. Current therapeutic approaches are not successful in respect to overall survival. There is a need to transfer the knowledge of basic science to new therapeutic strategies. This review describes the disturbed cell cycle control, anti-apoptotic mechanisms, the process of invasion and metastasis and angioneogenesis of pancreatic cancer cells. This knowledge will allow the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the future.