Triapine as First-Line or Second-Line Therapy in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Cancer of the Pancreas

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

  * Unresectable disease
  * Locally advanced or metastatic disease
* At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion \>= 20 mm by conventional techniques OR \>= 10 mm by spiral CT scan

  * Measurable lesions outside prior radiotherapy field OR measurable lesions actively growing in the site of prior radiotherapy
* No prior chemotherapy OR previously treated with 1, and only 1, gemcitabine-containing regimen for metastatic, unresectable, or locally advanced pancreatic cancer

  * Adjuvant therapy not considered prior chemotherapy if all treatment was completed \> 6 months before tumor recurrence
* No known brain metastases
* Performance status - ECOG 0-2
* At least 6 weeks
* Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count \>= 75,000/mm\^3
* AST =\< 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Bilirubin =\< 1.5 times ULN
* Creatinine =\< 1.5 times ULN
* Creatinine clearance \> 60 mL/min
* No uncontrolled congestive heart failure
* No unstable angina pectoris
* No cardiac arrhythmia
* No pulmonary disease requiring oxygen
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* No glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (for patients of African, Asian, or Mediterranean origin or ancestry)
* No active or ongoing infection
* No hypersensitivity or severe allergic reaction to 3-AP (Triapine®) or related compounds
* No concurrent uncontrolled illness
* No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
* No other concurrent antineoplastic therapy
* No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients
* No other concurrent investigational therapy for the malignancy