2-Methoxyestradiol in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

Inclusion Criteria:

Histologically confirmed solid tumor that is clinically unresectable

No known standard therapy that is potentially curative or definitely capable of extending life expectancy
Patients with multiple myeloma may be enrolled to expansion cohort once the recommended phase II dose is established
Tumor amenable to serial biopsy
No bone metastases as only site of disease
No CNS metastases
Performance status - ECOG 0-2
At least 12 weeks
Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
Hemoglobin at least 10.0 g/dL
Bilirubin normal
AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN
No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease
Adequate oral intake
No malabsorption syndrome
No disease of terminal small bowel
No dysphagia or other condition that would interfere with ability to swallow intact capsules
No clinical contraindications (e.g., anticoagulant therapy) to biopsy
No uncontrolled infection
No seizure disorder
Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
More than 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy
More than 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy
No concurrent immunotherapy
More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered
No concurrent chemotherapy
No concurrent megestrol
More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of bone marrow
No concurrent radiotherapy
No prior extensive resection of terminal small bowel
No prior major resection of the stomach or proximal small bowel
No other concurrent ancillary investigational therapy