A Phase II Trial of Epothilone B Analogue BMS-247550 (NSC #710428) Every 21 Days in Patients With Advanced Pancreas Cancer

Cytologically or pathologically verified diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. One of the following: distant metastatic disease or recurrent disease not amenable to curative resection (in the opinion of the treating investigator). Patients may have had prior surgery for their pancreas cancer and at least 2 weeks beyond surgery, and recovered from all effects. No prior chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, radiation or chemoradiotherapy as neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment or as treatment for advanced pancreas cancer. Prior palliative radiation therapy allowed if at least one lesion outside radiation therapy field or at least one lesion has progressed since radiation therapy. Zubrod performance status 0 - 1. No other prior malignancy allowed except for the following: adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, adequately treated Stage I or II cancer from which the patient is currently in remission or any other cancer from which the patient has been disease-free for 5 years. No plans to receive concurrent chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or any other type of therapy for treatment of their cancer while on protocol. Radiation for palliation to metastatic sites allowed as long as the target lesions are not irradiated. No history of severe hypersensitivity reaction to drugs containing a cremaphor delivery vehicle. No evidence of active or uncontrolled infection, recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or life-threatening arrhythmia. No severe psychiatric disorders. Non-pregnant non-nursing. No known brain metastases. If brain imaging studies are performed, they must be negative for disease.