The permanent activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-n nB (NF-n nB) in pancreatic cancer cells is associated with a profound resistance towards chemotherapy. In the present study, we show that chemoresistant pancreatic cancer cell lines exhibiting constitutive NF-n nB activity (i.e., PancTu-1, BxPc3, and Capan-1) express significantly elevated levels of the E3-ubiquitin ligase receptor subunit B BTRCP1, compared with pancreatic carcinoma cell lines lacking constitutive NF-n nB activity and chemoresistance (i.e., PT45-P1 and T3M4). If transfected with B BTRCP1, PT45-P1 cells exhibit an elevated NF-n nB activity and become less sensitive towards anticancer drug treatment (i.e., etoposide). Conversely, blockade of B BTRCP1 expression in PancTu-1 cells by transfection with a vector-expressed small interfering RNA reduces NF-K nB activation and chemoresistance. In PancTu-1 cells, B BTRCP1 expression is inhibited, at least in part, by the interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor(I) antagonist, whereas stimulation of PT45-P1 cells with IL-1B B resulted in an increased expression of B BTRCP1, and transfection of this cell line with B BTRCP1 induced IL-1B B secretion in a NF-n nB-dependent fashion. Thus, via its close and mutual link to IL-1B B secretion, B BTRCP1 expression might substantially contribute to the persistent, IL-1B B-dependent activation of NF-n nB in pancreatic carcinoma cells. In support of this, B BTRCP1 expression is detectable at considerable levels in a great number of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma specimens, along with an intense staining for activated NF-n nB. Altogether, our findings of the elevated B BTRCP1 expression in pancreatic carcinoma cells pinpoint to another important mediator of constitutive NF-n nB activation and thereby of chemoresistance. (Cancer Res 2005; 65(4): 1316-24)