Trial of Curcumin in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: The patient has pathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas that is not amenable to curative surgical resection (includes locally advanced, metastatic, or recurrent disease). Histology must be confirmed by the pathology department of the investigational center. The patient has a Karnofsky Performance Status of greater than or equal to 60 at study entry. The patient has given informed consent. The patient is at least 18 years of age. The patient has adequate hematologic function as defined by an absolute neutrophil count greater than or equal to 1,500/mm3, platelet count greater than or equal to 100,000/mm3. The patient has adequate hepatic function as defined by a total bilirubin less than or equal to 2.0 X ULN, alkaline phosphatase, AST and/or ALT less than or equal to 5 X ULN, and creatinine less than or equal to 2.0 mg/dL. The patient has measurable disease. The patient agrees to use effective contraception if procreative potential exists. Exclusion Criteria: The patient has a history of treated or active brain metastases, carcinomatous meningitis, an uncontrolled seizure disorder, or active neurological disease. The patient has received prior radiation. Patients with measurable disease outside the radiation port or documented disease progression of previously irradiated measurable disease are eligible. Patient must be greater than or equal to four weeks post-therapy and have recovered from all toxicities. The patient has an unstable medical condition according to the investigator, including uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or hypertension; active infections requiring systemic antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals, unstable CHF, uncontrolled arrythmias, or unstable coagulation disorders. The patient is pregnant (confirmed by serum Beta-HCG) or is breast feeding. The patient has received an investigational agent(s) within four weeks of study entry.