CC-4047 in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors That Did Not Respond to Treatment

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed advanced solid tumor * Refractory disease * Patients must have been offered and refused OR received and failed prior treatment with all standard or approved therapies for the malignancy * Measurable or evaluable disease as confirmed by radiographic or clinical evidence * No curative therapy available PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Life expectancy ≥ 3 months * ANC \> 1,500/mm³ * Platelet count \> 75,000/mm³ * Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL * Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL * AST and ALT \< 3 times upper limit of normal * Not pregnant * No nursing during and for ≥ 28 days after completion of study treatment * Two negative pregnancy tests required * Fertile women must use effective double-method contraception for ≥ 28 days before, during, and for ≥ 28 days after completion of study treatment * Men must use a latex condom during sexual contact with fertile females during and for ≥ 28 days after completion of study treatment, even if a prior successful vasectomy was performed * Stable neurological exam * No serious medical condition or psychiatric illness that would preclude study participation * No prior desquamating rash or allergic reaction ≥ grade 2 while taking thalidomide, lenalidomide, or structurally related compounds * No peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2 * No active infection * No uncontrolled hyper- or hypocalcemia, glycosemia, or thyroidism PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * No prior CC-4047 * More than 28 days since prior cytotoxic chemotherapy (42 days for nitrosoureas) * At least 14 days since prior therapeutic radiotherapy * More than 14 days since prior thalidomide, lenalidomide, or structurally related compounds * More than 14 days since prior biological response modifier therapy * Concurrent radiotherapy to treat pain associated with existing bone lesions during the extension phase of the study allowed provided \< 10% of bone marrow is irradiated * Concurrent systemic steroids for control of CNS primary tumor and/or metastases symptoms allowed provided dose is stable or decreasing AND patient is also taking low-dose aspirin and/or other platelet-active, anti-thrombotic medication during and for 30 days after completion of study treatment * No other concurrent chemotherapy or immunotherapy * No other concurrent investigational agents * No concurrent hematopoietic growth factors during the treatment phase of the study * No other concurrent anticancer agents