Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Cancer of the Pancreas

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the objective response rate of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with combination gemcitabine and docetaxel. II. Determine the toxicity profile of this combination therapy in these patients. III. Assess the survival rate of these patients.

OUTLINE: Patients receive docetaxel IV over 1 hour followed by gemcitabine IV over 30 minutes. Patients receive treatment every other week for 8 weeks (4 courses). Patients may continue treatment in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Patients are followed every 12 weeks until death.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: This study will accrue approximately 10 patients per month for a maximum of 33 patients.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma or poorly differentiated carcinoma of the pancreas Metastatic disease with at least 1 bidimensionally measurable lesion OR Locally advanced disease that is either recurrent or not amenable to surgery Measurable disease outside of prior radiation port or disease progression within the port

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1500/mm3 Platelet count at least 125,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN (less than 3 times ULN if liver metastases) Renal: Creatinine no greater than ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease At least 1 year since prior adjuvant chemotherapy Prior chemoradiotherapy as initial therapy allowed Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics See Chemotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified