Cetuximab, Gemcitabine, and Oxaliplatin in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Cetuximab may also stop the growth of pancreatic cancer by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine and oxaliplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving cetuximab together with combination chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying how well giving cetuximab together with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin works in treating patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer.