Combination Chemotherapy as First-Line Therapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas No other pancreatic tumor type, including either of the following: Neuroendocrine tumor Acinar cell tumor Metastatic disease Measurable disease in an area not previously irradiated No cerebral metastases or meningeal involvement of the tumor PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 to 75 Performance status WHO 0-1 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (biliary drainage allowed) Renal Creatinine < 120 mmol/L Cardiovascular No prior myocardial infarction No prior angina No uncompensated cardiac or coronary insufficiency No symptomatic arrhythmia Gastrointestinal No prior inflammatory bowel disease No prior chronic diarrhea No unresolved symptomatic occlusion or subocclusion of the bowel Other Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No ongoing active infection No other malignancy except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No contraindication to study treatment No other serious medical disorder that would preclude study treatment No psychiatric disorder or social or geographic situation that would preclude study participation Not detained or under the guardianship of another person PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy Surgery Not specified Other No concurrent participation in another clinical trial using therapeutic experimental agents