Etanercept in Treating Cancer-Related Cachexia and Anorexia in Patients With Advanced Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignancy except brain cancer * If the patient has multiple primaries or an unknown primary, the currently active cancer cannot be brain cancer * Disease considered incurable with available therapies * No clinical evidence of ascites * Weight loss of at least 5 pounds (2.3 kg) within the past 2 months (excluding perioperative weight loss) and/or estimated caloric intake of less than 20 cal/kg daily * Weight gain determined by physician to be beneficial * Patient perceives weight loss as a problem PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * More than 3 months Hematopoietic * Not specified Hepatic * Not specified Renal * Not specified Cardiovascular * No poorly controlled congestive heart failure * No poorly controlled hypertension * No pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, stents, or metal suture material in the heart or great vessels (for patients participating in the BIA translational portion of the study) Gastrointestinal * No known mechanical obstruction of the alimentary tract * No malabsorption * No intractable vomiting (more than 5 episodes/week) * Not concurrently receiving tube feedings or parenteral nutrition Other * Able to reliably administer subcutaneous medication twice weekly * Alert and mentally competent * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * More than 1 month since prior infliximab * No concurrent live vaccination Chemotherapy * Concurrent chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy * At least 1 month since prior adrenal steroids * No concurrent adrenal steroids (inhalant, topical, or optical steroids allowed) * Concurrent short-term dexamethasone for chemotherapy-induced emesis is allowed Radiotherapy * Concurrent radiotherapy allowed Surgery * Not specified Other * More than 1 month since prior etanercept * No concurrent evaluation with another device that injects an electrical current into the body (for patients participating in the bioelectrical impendance analysis \[BIA\] translational portion of the study)