To analyze whether expression of the acid sphingomyelinase plays a role in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), we correlated the expression of the acid sphingomyelinase in tissue samples from patients that were diagnosed with resectable PDAC, but not yet treated with any chemotherapy or surgical intervention, with the long-term survival of these patients. This evidence concerns the gene SMPD1 and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.