OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the feasibility, toxicity, and antitumor effects of active specific intralymphatic immunotherapy with allogeneic pancreatic cancer cells treated with interferon alfa plus low-dose adjuvant systemic sargramostim (GM-CSF) and cyclophosphamide in patients with incurable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. II. Assess the immunologic and biologic correlates of this treatment regimen in these patients.
OUTLINE: Cultured allogeneic pancreatic cancer cells are incubated with interferon alfa for 72-96 hours. Autologous cell lines, if established, may be used as an alternative. The cells are irradiated immediately prior to use. Patients receive cyclophosphamide IV on day -3 and sargramostim (GM-CSF) subcutaneously on days 0-8. On day 0, patients receive viable tumor cells via dorsal pedal lymphatic cannulation. Treatment repeats every 2-4 weeks for a minimum of 8 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients are followed every 2-4 months.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 14 patients will be accrued for this study.