Combination Chemotherapy In Treating Patients With Advanced Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignancy refractory to existing chemotherapy or for which no standard therapy exists
• Evaluable disease
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• SWOG 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• Greater than 3 months
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3
• Hemoglobin greater than 8.0 mg/dL
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL
• AST less than 3.0 times upper limit of normal
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL
• Other:
• No active infection requiring antibiotics
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• At least 3 weeks since prior systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy (including fluorouracil) and recovered
• No prior gemcitabine
• Endocrine therapy:
• Prior hormonal therapy allowed
• No concurrent hormonal contraception
• Radiotherapy:
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy to large areas of active bone marrow and recovered
• Surgery:
• Prior major surgery allowed and recovered
• Other:
• No prior or concurrent antiviral nucleosides