Paclitaxel and Bryostatin 1 in Treating Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologic proof of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas that is locally advanced and considered surgically not resectable or metastatic
* Patients with or without prior treatment are eligible for treatment on protocol; prior treatment may have included one treatment course of chemo/RT and/ or one course of chemotherapy, but not two prior courses of chemotherapy;
* Measurable disease
* ECOG performance status of 0-1
* Ability to sign an informed consent form indicating awareness of the investigational nature of this study, in keeping with the policies of the hospital
* Patients may not be receiving any other concurrent chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy; the most recent treatment for pancreatic cancer, within the limitations of allowed prior therapy must be 28 days or longer prior to enrollment on study
* Absolute granulocytes \> 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelets \> 150,000/mm\^3
* Serum bilirubin \< 1.5 mg/dl
* Serum creatinine \< 1.5 mg/dl

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of any ongoing toxic effect from prior treatment
* Brain metastases
* History of active angina or myocardial infarction within 6 months; history of significant ventricular arrhythmia requiring medication with antiarrhythmics; well controlled atrial fibrillation on standard management will be permitted
* Pregnant or lactating women
* Pre-existing neurotoxicity that is graded 3+ or greater
* Serious intercurrent infections, or nonmalignant medical illnesses that are uncontrolled or whose control may be jeopardized by the complications of this therapy
* Psychiatric disorders rendering patients incapable of complying with the requirements of the protocol
* HIV infection
* Any other medical condition or reason that, in the investigator's opinion, makes the patient unsuitable to participate in a clinical trial (for example a history of prior poor compliance with treatment)