Vorinostat Plus Radiation Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer

The Study Drugs: Vorinostat is designed to interfere with the growth of cancer cells. Study Drug Dose Level: If you are found to be eligible to take part in the study, you will begin receiving vorinostat. The dose you receive will be based on how many participants have been enrolled before you, and on the safety data available. The first group of 3 enrolled participants will be given low doses of vorinostat. If no intolerable side effects occur, the next group of 3 will be enrolled at a higher dose level. The study doctor will tell you what dose you will be receiving and how it compares to the doses other participants have received. Up to 3 dose levels will be tested. Study Drug Administration: On each day that you receive radiation, you will take vorinostat (as a capsule taken by mouth) in the morning with food. Radiation: You will receive radiation once a day on Monday through Friday, except for holidays. This schedule will be continued for 5 1/2 weeks or 28 doses total. Each radiation treatment will usually last about 10-15 minutes. Surgical Evaluation: After completing radiation therapy, you will come back for a follow-up visit about 6-12 weeks later. Length of Study: You will remain on study for up to 5 1/2 weeks. You will be taken off-study early if the disease gets worse or intolerable side effects occur. This is an investigational study. Vorinostat is FDA approved and commercially available. The use of vorinostat for pancreatic cancer and in combination with radiation is investigational. At this time, this combination is being used in research only. Up to 37 patients will take part in the study. All will be enrolled at M. D. Anderson.