Disulfiram and Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Refractory Solid Tumors or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Inclusion Criteria

• •Cohort 1 (dose escalation): histologic or cytologic proof of any solid tumor that is incurable with no standard therapy that is likely to make a major impact on clinical outcomes
• •Cohort 2 (MTD) only: metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas; prior systemic treatment for metastatic disease is allowed
• •Cohort 2 (MTD) only: Patient is thought to be a short- or long-term candidate for chemotherapy in the opinion of the treating oncologist
• •Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1500/mm\^3 (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
• •Platelet \>= 100,000/ mm\^3 (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
• •Total bilirubin =\< 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN) (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
• •Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\]) =\< 3 x ULN (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
• •Creatinine =\< 1.5 x ULN (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
• •Hemoglobin \>= 9.0 g/dL (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
• •Cohort 2 (MTD) only: prothrombin time (PT)/international normalized ratio (INR) =\< 1.5 x ULN (only if muscle biopsy has not been waived, does not apply to non-Mayo sites that will not be conducting biopsies) (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
• •Ability to provide written informed consent
• •Life expectancy \>= 12 weeks
• •Cohort 2 (MTD) only: patient willing to undergo muscle biopsies at baseline and after 28 to 35 days of disulfiram/chemotherapy as required by the protocol unless the muscle biopsy has been waived after discussion with the principal investigator (PI); muscle biopsies will not be required at non-Mayo Clinic sites
• •Cohort 2 (MTD) only: patient willing to have paraffin-embedded slides of the primary pancreas tumor or metastatic site, if available, sent to Mayo investigators for this study
• •For women of childbearing potential only: negative urine or serum pregnancy test done =\< 7 days prior to registration
• •Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0, 1 or 2
• •Able to swallow or have medication administered through a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) and absorb the medication
• •Patient willing to complete a medication diary
• •Patient agrees to use acceptable form of contraception during the study and for up to 30 days after last study drug dose if female partner is of childbearing potential
• •* Acceptable forms of contraception:
• •* Latex condom (always used with spermicide)
• •* Diaphragm (always used with spermicide)
• •* Cervical cap (always used with spermicide)
• •* Acceptable forms of secondary contraception, when used along with a barrier method:
• •* Hormonal contraception methods, including pills, patches, rings, or injections except progestin-only containing pills (i.e. "Mini-pill")
• •* Tubal ligation
• •* Partner's vasectomy
• •* Intrauterine device (non-progesterone T)
• •* Vaginal sponge (containing spermicide)
• •* Other acceptable forms:
• •* 100% commitment to abstinence
• •* Unacceptable forms of contraception for women of childbearing potential:
• •* Oral contraception containing progestins only
• •* Intrauterine device (IUD) progesterone T
• •* Female condom
• •* Natural family planning (rhythm method) or breastfeeding
• •* Fertility awareness
• •* Withdrawal
• •* Cervical shield