The purpose of this study is to find the highest dose of the drugs gemcitabine and dasatinib
that can be given for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Gemcitabine (also called Gemzar™)is
a drug that is given intravenously. Dasatinib (also called Sprycel™) is a tablet and will be
taken by mouth.
Gemcitabine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of
advanced breast, lung and pancreatic cancer. Dasatinib is approved by the FDA for the
treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia or for patients
that are resistant to imatinib mesylate (Gleevec™ ).
This study will try to find the highest doses of these drugs that can be tolerated when taken
in combination. The study will also look at how the drugs work in the body, and will see if
there is any effect on pancreatic cancer.