Researchers uncovered complementary molecular strategies in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC): one study identified the inflammasome protein ASC as a nexus linking innate immune signaling to mitochondrial metabolism, while another showed targeted epigenetic therapy stabilizes GATA6‑dependent MHC‑I expression and amplifies antitumor immunity. Both reports provide mechanistic routes to modulate the tumor microenvironment in a cancer class long resistant to immunotherapy. ASC’s role connects innate immune sensing to metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells, suggesting metabolic or inflammasome inhibitors could alter PDAC fitness. Separately, the epigenetic approach restores antigen presentation — clarifying that reversing transcriptional silencing of immune genes can sensitize PDAC to immune attack. Together, the studies map actionable biology for combination strategies in a high‑need indication.