Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors and Liver or Kidney Dysfunction

You may be eligible if

• Histologically confirmed solid tumor, including gliomas and the following epithelial malignancies:
• * Non-small cell lung
• * Mesothelioma
• * Breast
• * Head and neck
• * Esophageal
• * Pancreatic
• * Bladder
• * Prostate
• * Ovarian
• * Anal
• * Colorectal carcinoma
• * Cervical carcinoma
• * Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Metastatic or unresectable disease
• Standard curative or palliative therapy does not exist or is no longer effective
• Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positive
• Hepatic or renal dysfunction defined as one of the following:
• * Direct bilirubin 1.0-7.0 mg/dL with any AST
• * Albumin less than 2.5 g/dL
• * Creatinine 2.5-5.0 mg/dL
• Brain metastases allowed provided patient is asymptomatic, previously treated, has stable disease for at least 2 months, and is not currently receiving steroid therapy
• Hormone receptor status:
• * Not specified
• Male or female
• Performance status - ECOG 0-2
• Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• See Disease Characteristics
• No evidence of biliary obstruction
• See Disease Characteristics
• No evidence of renal obstruction
• No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• No unstable angina pectoris
• No cardiac arrhythmia
• No gastrointestinal tract disease that would preclude ability to take oral medications
• No requirement for IV alimentation
• No active peptic ulcer disease
• No prior corneal abnormalities (e.g., dry eye syndrome or Sjogren's syndrome)
• No prior congenital abnormality (e.g., Fuch's dystrophy)
• No prior abnormal slit-lamp exam using a vital dye (e.g., fluorescein or Bengal-Rose)
• No prior abnormal corneal sensitivity test (e.g., Schirmer test or similar tear production test)
• No other concurrent uncontrolled illness
• No ongoing or active infection
• No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) or sargramostim (GM-CSF)
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for melphalan or mitomycin)
• No prior nitrosoureas
• See Disease Characteristics
• No concurrent steroids
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery
• No prior surgical procedures affecting absorption
• No prior EGFR-targeting therapies, including gefitinib or Imclone C-225
• At least 3 months since prior suramin
• More than 7 days since prior grapefruit juice
• More than 7 days since other prior CYP3A4 inhibitors
• No concurrent grapefruit juice
• No concurrent CYP3A4 inducers, substrates, or other inhibitors
• No concurrent medications known to affect hepatic or renal function, including antiseizure medication or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
• No concurrent combination anti-retroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients