Vaccine Therapy, Chemotherapy, and GM-CSF in Treating Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the feasibility, toxicity, and antitumor effects of active specific intralymphatic immunotherapy with allogeneic pancreatic cancer cells treated with interferon alfa plus low-dose adjuvant systemic sargramostim (GM-CSF) and cyclophosphamide in patients with incurable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. II. Assess the immunologic and biologic correlates of this treatment regimen in these patients.

OUTLINE: Cultured allogeneic pancreatic cancer cells are incubated with interferon alfa for 72-96 hours. Autologous cell lines, if established, may be used as an alternative. The cells are irradiated immediately prior to use. Patients receive cyclophosphamide IV on day -3 and sargramostim (GM-CSF) subcutaneously on days 0-8. On day 0, patients receive viable tumor cells via dorsal pedal lymphatic cannulation. Treatment repeats every 2-4 weeks for a minimum of 8 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients are followed every 2-4 months.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 14 patients will be accrued for this study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas that is locoregionally active or metastatic and not amenable to cure or long-term control by surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy No brain metastases refractory to irradiation or surgery

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-3 OR Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: No prior or concurrent significant cardiovascular disease Pulmonary: No prior or concurrent significant pulmonary disease Other: No AIDS HIV negative No prior or concurrent autoimmune disease No other concurrent major medical illness Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent chronic steroid therapy Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: At least 4 weeks since other prior therapy