CI-1040 in Treating Patients With Advanced Breast, Colon, Pancreatic, or Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic or inoperable non-small cell lung, breast, or colon cancer or duct cell carcinoma of the exocrine pancreas

Bidimensionally measurable lesions that are not previously irradiated

New lesions that have developed in a previously irradiated field may be used as measurable disease

No brain metastases

Patients with prior brain metastases are allowed provided they have undergone prior resection of metastases and/or 1 prior course of cranial irradiation, have no new sites of brain metastases since then, have no worsening CNS symptoms, and have discontinued prior corticosteroids for at least 30 days

Hormone receptor status:

Not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Sex:

Not specified

Menopausal status:

Not specified

Performance status:

ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

Not specified

Hematopoietic:

Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
AST or ALT no greater than 2 times ULN (5 times ULN if due to liver involvement)

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Other:

Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 30 days after study participation
Capable of swallowing intact study medication capsules
Capable of following instructions regarding study medication or has daily caregiver to administer study medication
No concurrent serious infection
No life-threatening illness unrelated to tumor
No other prior or concurrent malignancy within the past 3 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

At least 2 weeks since prior immunotherapy or biologic therapy

Chemotherapy:

At least 4 weeks since prior cytotoxic chemotherapy
No more than 1 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen for metastatic non-small cell lung or colon cancer
No more than 2 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens for breast cancer
No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer

Endocrine therapy:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 2 weeks since other prior hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

See Disease Characteristics

Other:

No other concurrent anticancer agents