Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors and Liver or Kidney Dysfunction

Inclusion Criteria:

Histologically confirmed solid tumor, including gliomas and the following epithelial malignancies:

Non-small cell lung
Mesothelioma
Breast
Head and neck
Esophageal
Pancreatic
Bladder
Prostate
Ovarian
Anal
Colorectal carcinoma
Cervical carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Metastatic or unresectable disease
Standard curative or palliative therapy does not exist or is no longer effective
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positive

Hepatic or renal dysfunction defined as one of the following:

Direct bilirubin 1.0-7.0 mg/dL with any AST
Albumin less than 2.5 g/dL
Creatinine 2.5-5.0 mg/dL
Brain metastases allowed provided patient is asymptomatic, previously treated, has stable disease for at least 2 months, and is not currently receiving steroid therapy

Hormone receptor status:

Not specified
Male or female
Performance status - ECOG 0-2
Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
See Disease Characteristics
No evidence of biliary obstruction
See Disease Characteristics
No evidence of renal obstruction
No symptomatic congestive heart failure
No unstable angina pectoris
No cardiac arrhythmia
No gastrointestinal tract disease that would preclude ability to take oral medications
No requirement for IV alimentation
No active peptic ulcer disease
No prior corneal abnormalities (e.g., dry eye syndrome or Sjogren's syndrome)
No prior congenital abnormality (e.g., Fuch's dystrophy)
No prior abnormal slit-lamp exam using a vital dye (e.g., fluorescein or Bengal-Rose)
No prior abnormal corneal sensitivity test (e.g., Schirmer test or similar tear production test)
No other concurrent uncontrolled illness
No ongoing or active infection
No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) or sargramostim (GM-CSF)
At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for melphalan or mitomycin)
No prior nitrosoureas
See Disease Characteristics
No concurrent steroids
At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery
No prior surgical procedures affecting absorption
No prior EGFR-targeting therapies, including gefitinib or Imclone C-225
At least 3 months since prior suramin
More than 7 days since prior grapefruit juice
More than 7 days since other prior CYP3A4 inhibitors
No concurrent grapefruit juice
No concurrent CYP3A4 inducers, substrates, or other inhibitors
No concurrent medications known to affect hepatic or renal function, including antiseizure medication or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
No concurrent combination anti-retroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients