A prodrug form of gemcitabine; enters cells through passive diffusion; inhibits the growth of L1210, CEM, MP-2, and BxPC-3 cancer cells in vitro (IC50s = 35, 30, 60, and 40 nM, respectively); reduces tumor growth in Mia-PaCa-2 and BxPC-3 mouse xenograft models at 0.076 mmol/kg