Fenretinide in Treating Children With Solid Tumors

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed malignant solid tumor that is refractory to conventional therapy or recurrent neuroblastoma treated with myeloablative therapy and autologous stem cell transplant in second complete or partial response
• Bone marrow metastases with granulocytopenia, anemia, and/or thrombocytopenia are eligible
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age: Under 21 at diagnosis
• Performance status: CCG 0-2
• Life expectancy: At least 2 months
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 750/mm3
• Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3
• Hemoglobin at least 7.0 g/dL
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• SGOT and SGPT less than 2.5 times normal
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 g/dL OR creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min OR radioisotope GFR at least 50 mL/min
• Seizure disorders controlled with anticonvulsants allowed
• No CNS toxicity greater than grade 2
• Not pregnant
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• At least 1 month since prior autologous stem cell transplantation
• No prior allogeneic transplantation
• At least 2 weeks since prior chemotherapy (4 weeks for nitrosourea) and recovered
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• No concurrent immunomodulating agents (including steroids)
• Concurrent corticosteroid therapy for increased intracranial pressure allowed
• Concurrent dexamethasone for CNS tumor allowed
• At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• Concurrent radiotherapy to localized lesions allowed
• At least 2 weeks since prior retinoids Prior isotretinoin or 9-cis-retinoic acid allowed