Phase I Dose Escalation and Pharmacokinetics Study of the Radiosensitizer, Gadolinium Texaphyrin (Gd-Tex, NSC 695238) With Concurrent Radiotherapy in Advanced Biliary Tree and Pancreatic Cancers

Study start date: November 1, 1998

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed locally advanced, unresectable carcinoma of the biliary tree or pancreas Metastatic disease allowed on a case by case basis provided the following criteria exists: Minimal or low volume disease Need for palliative radiotherapy to primary tumor with or without motexafin gadolinium No requirement for systemic therapy Measurable disease in at least 2 dimensions No ascites requiring therapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 No history of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL AST and ALT less than 3 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.6 mg/dL Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No history of porphyria No active infection No physical or psychological illness that would preclude study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior radiotherapy to primary site of tumor Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 3 weeks since prior major surgery Other: At least 4 weeks since prior investigational drugs No other concurrent investigational antineoplastic drugs