Abstract Engrailed-1 (EN1) is a critical homeodomain transcription factor (TF) required for neuronal survival, and EN1 expression has been shown to promote aggressive forms of triple negative breast cancer. Here, we report that EN1 is aberrantly expressed in a subset of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) patients with poor outcomes. EN1 predominantly repressed its target genes through direct binding to gene enhancers and promoters, implicating a role in the acquisition of mesenchymal cell properties. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that EN1 promoted PDA transformation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Our findings nominate the targeting of EN1 and downstream pathways in aggressive PDA. Citation Format: Jihao Xu, Jae-Seok Roe, EunJung Lee, Claudia Tonelli, Tim Somervile, Melissa Yao, Joseph Milazzo, Herve Tiriac, Anna Kolarzyk, Esak Lee, Jeam Grem, Audrey Lazenby, James Grunkemeyer, Michael Hollingsworth, Paul Grandgenett, Alexander Borowsky, Youngkyu Park, Christopher Vakoc, David Tuveson, Chang-il Hwang. Engrailed-1 promotes pancreatic cancer metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Pancreatic Cancer; 2023 Sep 27-30; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(2 Suppl):Abstract nr C114.