The Effect of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors in Patients Undergoing Pancreatic Cancer Resection

Abstract

Objectives The local renin-angiotensin system promotes angiogenesis and proliferation via vascular endothelial growth factor or epidermal growth factor receptor expression. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of angiotensin system inhibitors (ASIs) on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing surgical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods A single institutional retrospective analysis was performed using the medical records of patients who underwent pancreatic resection with curative intent for PDAC between January 2005 and December 2018. Patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared between patients taking ASIs and those who are not. Results A total of 272 patients were included in the study and classified into the ASI group (n = 121) and the non-ASI group (n = 151). The median overall survival times in the ASI group and non-ASI group were 38.0 and 34.0 months (P = 0.250), and the median recurrence-free survival times were 24.0 and 15.0 months (P = 0.025), respectively. Multivariate analysis for recurrence-free survival identified the use of ASIs (P = 0.020), CA19-9 level >500 IU/L (P = 0.010), positive lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), and no adjuvant chemotherapy (P < 0.001) as independent prognostic factors. Conclusions The use of ASI may improve long-term outcomes after surgery for PDAC.