3-AP and Gemcitabine in Treating Patients With Recurrent, Unresectable, or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma Recurrent, unresectable, or metastatic disease At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan Prior radiation field must not have encompassed the only site of measurable disease No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 OR Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy More than 12 weeks Hematopoietic WBC ≥ 3,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 No G6PD deficiency Hepatic Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times normal AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times normal OR Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min Cardiovascular No unstable angina pectoris No cardiac arrhythmia No symptomatic congestive heart failure Pulmonary No severe pulmonary disease No dyspnea at rest No dependence on supplemental oxygen use Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study treatment No prior allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to study drugs No ongoing or active infection No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance No other concurrent uncontrolled illness that would preclude study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy except fluorouracil given as adjuvant therapy OR as a radiosensitizer during radiotherapy More than 4 weeks since prior adjuvant fluorouracil therapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy See Disease Characteristics See Chemotherapy More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery Not specified Other No other concurrent investigational agents No other concurrent anticancer therapy No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients