Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed ductal carcinoma of the
exocrine pancreas Locally advanced or metastatic Failed 1, but no more than 1, prior
gemcitabine-containing chemotherapy regimen (either as a single agent or in combination
with another agent) (See criteria for prior radiation using gemcitabine or fluorouracil at
diminished doses in Prior/Concurrent Therapy section) No neuroendocrine or islet cell
tumors or lymphoma of the pancreas

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life
expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least
100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3
Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL AST or ALT no greater than 5.0 times upper
limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 5.0 times ULN Renal: Creatinine
no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No clinically significant active heart disease
Other: Fertile patients must use effective contraception No history of retinopathy or
macular degeneration No other malignancy within the past 5 years except basal cell or
squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No other significant medical
and/or psychiatric condition that would preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior biologic therapy No concurrent
biologic therapy Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 21 days since prior
chemotherapy and recovered No prior systemic treatment with fluorouracil,
fluorouracil-uracil, raltitrexed, or capecitabine in combination with gemcitabine Prior
fluorouracil or gemcitabine allowed as radiosensitizing agents when given 2 weeks before,
during, or 2 weeks after radiotherapy No prior cumulative mitomycin dose greater than 25
mg/m2 Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 21 days since prior
radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: No prior surgery No concurrent surgery Other: At least
21 days since prior participation in other investigational study