Imatinib Mesylate in Treating Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic breast cancer * Documented expression of CD117 (c-kit) or platelet-derived growth factor receptor * Adequate tumor tissue from either the primary tumor and/or metastatic disease available for evaluation * Must have received prior chemotherapy with an anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) and/or taxane (paclitaxel or docetaxel) as adjuvant or for advanced disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Bone disease may not be only source of measurable disease * Pleural or peritoneal ascites are not considered measurable disease * No known brain metastases * Hormone receptor status: * Not specified * Female or male * Not specified * Performance status - ECOG 0-2 * Performance status - Karnofsky 60-100% * More than 12 weeks * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Bilirubin normal * AST or ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Creatinine normal * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia * No other uncontrolled concurrent illness * No ongoing or active infection * No prior allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to imatinib mesylate * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 1 week after study * No concurrent biologic agents * No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease * Therapy with high-dose regimens or bone marrow transplantation considered 1 regimen * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for carmustine or mitomycin) and recovered * No concurrent chemotherapy * Prior hormonal therapy for stage IV disease and/or as adjuvant therapy allowed * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * Prior localized radiotherapy that does not influence the signal of the evaluable lesion is allowed * At least 2 weeks since prior minor surgery * At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery * Recovered from prior surgery * Low-molecular weight heparin or heparin allowed for anticoagulation * No concurrent warfarin * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients * No concurrent investigational therapies or agents * No other concurrent anticancer therapy * No concurrent intake of cola, orange juice, grapefruit, or orange or grapefruit sections