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