The instant disclosure provides methods for using biomarkers for identifying therapeutic regimens to treat pancreas cancer, or to reduce the risk of pancreas cancer, pancreas cancer metastasis, pancreas cancer proliferation, or pancreas cancer recurrence. For example, such therapeutic regimens can be based on the level of RUNX3 expression in the context of a particular DPC4 genotype, or based on the level of RUNX3 expression in combination with the level of Col6a1 expression, Spp1 expression or both. Such therapeutic regimens can include a main therapy, a neoadjuvant therapy, an adjuvant therapy, or any combination thereof. Also provided are methods for diagnosing or detecting metastatic potential of pancreas cancer cells based on the foregoing.