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)