SJG-136 in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors That Are Metastatic or Cannot Be Removed By Surgery

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the maximum tolerated dose and recommended phase II dose of SJG-136 in patients with metastatic or unresectable solid tumors. II. Determine the safety and dose-limiting toxic effects of this drug in these patients. III. Determine, preliminarily, the efficacy of this drug in these patients. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of this drug and its metabolites in these patients. II. Correlate pharmacokinetic parameters with clinical effects of this drug in these patients. OUTLINE: This is an open-label, dose-escalation study. Patients receive SJG-136 intravenously (IV) over 20 minutes once daily on days 1-3. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Cohorts of 1-6 patients receive escalating doses of SJG-136 until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 3 or 2 of 6 patients experience dose-limiting toxicity. At least 6 patients are treated at the MTD. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up for 30 days.