OBJECTIVES:
Primary
* Determine the growth inhibitory effects of opioid growth factor (\[Met\^5\]-enkephalin) in patients with advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer.
Secondary
* Determine the pharmacokinetics of this drug in these patients.
* Determine the quality of life of patients treated with this drug.
* Determine the pain control, depression, and nutritional status of patients treated with this drug.
OUTLINE: This is an open-label study.
Patients receive opioid growth factor (\[Met\^5\]-enkephalin) IV over 45 minutes once weekly. Treatment continues in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Quality of life is assessed at baseline, every 4 weeks during study treatment, and at the completion of study treatment.
Patients are followed weekly for survival.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 50 patients will be accrued for this study.
