Imatinib Mesylate and Capecitabine in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed malignant solid tumors for which no standard effective therapy exists OR such therapy is refused
• Previously treated brain metastases that are currently asymptomatic allowed

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Performance status

• Karnofsky 70-100%

Life expectancy

• Not specified

Hematopoietic

• Absolute neutrophil count > 2,000/mm^3
• Platelet count > 100,000 mm^3
• Hemoglobin > 9.0 g/dL

Hepatic

• Alkaline phosphatase < 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT and SGPT < 2.5 times ULN
• Bilirubin < 1.5 times ULN

Renal

• Creatinine clearance > 50 mL/min

Cardiovascular

• No congestive heart failure
• No symptomatic coronary artery disease
• No uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias
• No myocardial infarction within the past 12 months
• No other clinically significant cardiac disease

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after completion of study treatment
• No prior unanticipated severe reaction to fluoropyrimidine therapy
• No known sensitivity to fluorouracil

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• More than 28 days since prior biologic therapy

Chemotherapy

• More than 28 days since prior chemotherapy (42 days for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C)

Endocrine therapy

• At least 90 days since prior steroids for the treatment of brain metastases
• More than 28 days since prior hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy

• At least 90 days since prior radiotherapy for the treatment of brain metastases
• More than 28 days since other prior radiotherapy
• No prior pelvic radiotherapy > 30% of the bone marrow

Surgery

• More than 28 days since prior surgery and recovered