T900607 in Treating Patients With Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed gastric or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma (gastric carcinoma closed to accrual as of 02/04) * Must have received 1 or 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for gastric carcinoma (gastric carcinoma closed to accrual as of 02/04) * Bidimensionally measurable disease * At least 1 lesion that is at least 10 mm by CT scan * No CNS metastases or carcinomatous meningitis PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy * At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3\* * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3\* * Hemoglobin ≥ 8.5 g/dL\* NOTE: \*Independent of growth factor or transfusion support Hepatic * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST and ALT ≤ 3 times ULN * INR ≤ 1.5 (unless receiving anticoagulants) * Albumin \> 2.5 g/dL Renal * Creatinine ≤ 2 times ULN Cardiovascular * No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease * LVEF ≥ 50% * No acute anginal symptoms Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study participation * Able to comply with study procedures and follow-up * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No severe infection * No other concurrent severe medical condition or comorbidity that would preclude study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * More than 7 days since prior growth factors or blood transfusions * No concurrent therapeutic biological response modifier therapy * No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * No other concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * No concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy * No concurrent radiotherapy (including palliative radiotherapy) Surgery * More than 4 weeks since prior major surgery Other * More than 4 weeks since prior investigational agents * No other concurrent investigational anticancer therapy