UCN-01 and Gemcitabine in Treating Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed unresectable or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas * Unidimensionally measurable disease * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Tumor lesions in a previously irradiated area are not considered measurable * No known brain metastases * Patients with signs or symptoms of CNS metastasis at any time during screening must have a negative CT scan or MRI of the brain * Performance status - ECOG 0-2 * Performance status - Karnofsky 60-100% * More than 3 months * WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm\^3 * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * ALT and AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Creatinine normal * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min * No prior coronary artery disease * No symptomatic cardiac dysfunction * No prior myocardial infarction * No active angina (even if controlled by medication) * No positive stress test * No uncontrolled arrhythmia * Left ventricular ejection fraction at least 45% * Patients with symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease or arrhythmia must have no evidence of cardiac pathology * No symptomatic pulmonary dysfunction * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study participation * No prior allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to UCN-01 or other study agents * No insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus * No other concurrent uncontrolled illness * No ongoing or active infections * No concurrent psychiatric illness * No other active malignancy * No other solid tumor within the past 5 years except neoplasia in situ or nonmelanomatous skin cancer * No social situations that would preclude study compliance * No concurrent over-the-counter biologics * No concurrent growth factors during the first study course * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered * No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens (e.g., gemcitabine and/or experimental agents) alone or in combination with radiotherapy as neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy for resectable, unresectable, or metastatic disease * See Chemotherapy * At least 6 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * Prior radiotherapy directed only at the primary tumor bed allowed * No prior radiotherapy to the mediastinum, pelvis, lower spine, or more than 20% of bone marrow * At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery * At least 4 weeks since prior investigational agents * Concurrent enrollment in non-therapy trials (e.g., quality of life) allowed * No concurrent herbal remedies * No concurrent treatment for another active malignancy * No concurrent warfarin for anticoagulation * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients * No other concurrent investigational or commercial anticancer agents or therapies