Oncogenic and tumor-suppressive forces converge on a progenitor niche at the benign-to-malignant transition

Opposing oncogenic and tumor-suppressive forces establish a progenitor-like state that builds a self-reinforcing niche to drive benign-to-malignant transition in pancreatic cancer models. Disruption of p53 activity or KRAS inhibits malignancy by collapsing the niche.