Imatinib Mesylate in Treating Patients With Stage IV Colorectal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed stage IV colorectal cancer * Arg, KIT (CD117), or PDGF-R expression (1+ in 20% of cells) in the tumor or microvasculature * At least one unidimensionally measurable lesion * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * No known brain metastases * Performance status - ECOG 0-2 * Performance status - Karnofsky 60-100% * At least 12 weeks * Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL * AST/ALT less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/mL * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 3 months after study participation * No other malignancy within the past 3 years except non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No concurrent uncontrolled illness * No ongoing or active infection * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance * More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered * More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * More than 3 weeks since prior surgery (excluding diagnostic biopsy) * No other concurrent investigational agents * No concurrent therapeutic doses of anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) * No concurrent grapefruit * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients