The cell-based study reported here has demonstrated that a G-quadruplex ligand (CM03), in combination with the HDAC inhibitor SAHA, can produce >50% synergistic cell growth inhibition in the pancreatic cancer cell lines MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1, as well as in these derived gemcitabine resistant lines. The gene discussed is HDAC9; the disease is familial pancreatic carcinoma.