AIM: To investigate the survival impact of common pharmaceuticals, which target stromal interactions, following a pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Data was collected retrospectively for 164 patients who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC). Survival analysis was performed on patients receiving the following medications: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors(ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers(ARB), calcium channel blockers(CCB), aspirin, and statins. Statistical analysis included Kaplan-meier survival estimates and cox multivariate regression; the latter of which allowed for any differences in a range of prognostic indicators between groups. Medications showing a significant survival benefit were investigated in combination with other medications to evaluate synergistic effects.RESULTS: No survival benefit was observed with respect to ACEI/ARB(n = 41), aspirin or statins on individual drug analysis(n = 39). However, the entire CCB group(n = 26) showed a significant survival benefit on multivariate cox regression; hazard ratio(HR) of 0.475(CI = 0.250-0.902, P = 0.023). Further analysis revealed that this was influenced by a group of patients who were taking aspirin in combination with CCB; median survival was significantly higher in the CCB + aspirin group(n = 15) compared with the group taking neither drug(n = 98); 1414 d vs 601 d(P = 0.029, logrank test). Multivariate cox regression revealed neither aspirin nor CCB had a statistically significant impact on survival when given alone, however in combination the survival benefit was significant; HR = 0.332(CI = 0.126-0.870, P = 0.025). None of the other medications showed a survival benefit in any combination.CONCLUSION: Aspirin + CCB in combination appears to increase survival in patients with PDAC, highlighting the potential clinical use of combination therapy to target stromal interactions in pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Data from the collected retrospectively for 164 patients who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Survival analysis was performed on patients receiving the following medications: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) / angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), calcium channel blockers (CCB), aspirin, and statins. Statistical analysis included Kaplan-meier survival estimates and cox multivariate regression; of which allowed for any differences in a range of prognostic indicators between groups. Medications showing a significant survival benefit were investigated in combination with other medications to evaluate synergistic effects .RESULTS: No survival benefit was observed with respect to ACEI / ARB (n = 41 ), aspirin or statins on individual drug analysis (n = 39). However, the entire CCB group showed a significant survival benefit on multivariate cox regression; hazard ratio (HR) of 0.475 (CI = 0.250-0.902, P = 0.023) influenced by a group of patients who were taking aspirin in combination with CCB; median survival was significantly higher in the CCB + aspirin group (n = 15) compared with the group taking neither drug (n = 98); 1414 d vs 601 d P = 0.029, logrank test). Multivariate cox regression revealed neither aspirin nor CCB had a statistically significant impact on survival when given alone, however in combination the survival benefit was significant; HR = 0.332 (CI = 0.126-0.870, P = 0.025) None of the other medications showed a survival benefit in any combination. CONCLUSION: Aspirin + CCB in combination with increasing survival in patients with PDAC, highlighting the potential clinical use of combination therapy to target stromal interactions in pancreatic cancer.