SJG-136 in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed solid tumor * Advanced disease, defined as metastatic or unresectable disease * Measurable indicator lesions * Standard curative or palliative measures do not exist or are no longer effective * Previously treated CNS metastases allowed provided patient has completed local therapy AND corticosteroids have been discontinued for at least 4 weeks * No known leptomeningeal metastases * Performance status - ECOG 0-2 * Performance status - Karnofsky 60-100% * More than 3 months * WBC ≥ 3,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 * Bilirubin ≤ 1.0 mg/dL * AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Creatinine \< 1.4 mg/dL * No congestive heart failure * No recent myocardial infarction * No unstable angina * No uncontrolled hypertension * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No active infection * No history of allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to study drug * No other significant medical history, unstable medical condition, or unstable systemic disease that would preclude study participation * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosoureas and 8 weeks for UCN-01) * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy * No prior radiotherapy to ≥ 25% of hematopoietic bone marrow * Recovered from all prior therapy * At least 4 weeks since prior investigational anticancer drugs * No other concurrent investigational agents * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients