SOM 230 and Gemcitabine in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

This is a single-arm, open-label, phase I study of combination therapy with SOM 230 LAR and standard treatment with gemcitabine. We will utilize a staggered, sequential dose-escalation design to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of SOM 230 LAR when combined with standard doses of gemcitabine. Cycle will be defined as 28 days. Treatment will be administered on an outpatient basis. Gemcitabine is administered by IV infusion. The dose should be based on the patient's actual baseline body weight; the dose will be recalculated if there is a weight change of \> 10% from baseline. The dose of gemcitabine will be given over 30 minutes, weekly every 3 weeks followed by 1 week rest period. SOM 230 LAR will be administered as an intramuscular dose determined by the dosing schema, every month.