VNP20009 in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed advanced and/or metastatic solid tumors refractory to standard curative or palliative therapy and for which no other conventional therapy exists * Measurable or evaluable metastatic disease * No brain metastases unless previously treated and no evidence of recurrence * No lymphoma or other hematologic malignancy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: * At least 3 months Hematopoietic: * Granulocyte count at least 2,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Hematocrit at least 30% (transfusion allowed) * No known bleeding disorder Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * ALT and AST no greater than 1.5 times ULN (3 times ULN if liver metastases present) * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 1.5 times ULN (3 times ULN if liver metastases present) * PT and PTT no greater than 1.5 times ULN * Hepatitis B surface antigen negative * No chronic active hepatitis B * No end-stage liver disease Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL * No urinary tract stones * No end-stage renal disease Cardiovascular: * No known valvular disease * No known clinically significant atherosclerotic disease, peripheral vascular disease, or arterial aneurysm * No unstable angina * No artificial heart valves Pulmonary: * No severe oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Other: * No artificial implant that cannot be removed (e.g., prosthetic hips or knees or other devices) * No permanent central venous catheters * No gallstones * No active infection * No documented Salmonella infection * No tumor fever or fever of unknown origin or cause * Daily maximum temperature no greater than 38.0 degrees Celsius * HIV negative * No documented immunodeficiency * No other life-threatening illness * No history of allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to quinolone or cephalosporin antibiotics * No commercial food handlers, day-care workers, or health-care workers * No patients unable to avoid close personal contact with severely immunosuppressed individuals (e.g., other patients on myelosuppressive cancer chemotherapy) * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy and recovered Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior cytotoxic chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosoureas) and recovered Endocrine therapy: * At least 2 weeks since prior hormonal therapy and recovered * No concurrent steroids that could depress the immune system unless indicated for severe reactions Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: * At least 2 weeks since prior surgery and recovered * No prior splenectomy * No concurrent palliative surgery Other: * Recovered from any other prior anticancer therapies * No concurrent antibiotics * No concurrent immunosuppressives or any other medications that could suppress the immune system * No other concurrent treatment for malignancy * No requirement for immediate palliative treatment