Irinotecan and Alisertib in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors or Colorectal Cancer

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To investigate the feasibility and safety of MLN8237 (alisertib) when given in combination with irinotecan (irinotecan hydrochloride) to patients with advanced solid tumors. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of MLN8237 when given in combination with irinotecan to patients with advanced solid tumors and to recommend a phase II dose for the combination. II. To obtain preliminary evidence of efficacy for this combination. III. To compare the pharmacokinetics of SN-38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan) with and without concurrent administration of MLN8237 in an expanded cohort of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study of alisertib. Patients receive irinotecan hydrochloride intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes on days 1 and 8 and alisertib orally (PO) twice daily (BID) on days 1-3 and 8-10. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up for 30 days.