Heterotransplantation of human cancers in nude mice has provided an in vivo model for studying the biologic characteristics of human tumors, particularly their response to chemotherapy. In an effort to identify cytotoxic agents effective against pancreatic carcinoma, this model was used to evaluate the efficacy of three new anticancer agents--menogarol, 4'-epirubicin, and taxol--against two human transplanted pancreatic tumors. Relative area (tumor length X width) differed significantly between menogarol-treated and control groups (p = 0.034). A marked response was also observed in the tumors to 4'-epirubicin (p = 0.01). Taxol was ineffective in controlling tumor growth; by the fourth week, the size of treated tumors was similar to that of the control group (p = 0.55). No toxicity was observed in either the menogarol- or taxol-treated animals. Animals bearing the P2 tumor, and treated with 4' epirubicin displayed severe toxicity by day 18 with death by day 21 in most animals. For the second tumor, Capan-1, relative area differed significantly between the menogarol-treated and the control group (p = 0.003). In animals given 4'-epirubicin, a smaller difference was observed when comparing the relative areas (p = 0.09). Animals treated with taxol again showed no difference in the tumors when compared with controls (p = 1.0). The use of the nude mouse system has evolved so that tumor-oriented trials are now feasible with the hope of clinical applicability. This study illustrates that at least two agents--menogarol and 4'-epirubicin--may have some antitumor activity against pancreatic carcinoma in this system.