Etoposide and Celecoxib in Patients With Advanced Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically proven diagnosis of a malignant disease for which no satisfactory treatment exists at the time of enrollment
• Patients with brain metastases which at the time of study enrollment are controlled and do not require treatment with corticosteroids are eligible

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

• WHO performance status 0-2
• Life expectancy ≥ 3 months
• ANC > 1.5 x 10\^9/L
• Platelet count > 100 x 10\^9/L
• Creatinine clearance > 50 mL/min
• Serum bilirubin \< 1.5 mg/dL
• AST and ALT \< 2.0 times upper limit of normal (unless clearly due to the presence of tumor)
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• Patient must be capable of understanding the nature of the trial and must give written informed consent

Exclusion criteria:

• Unstable or severe intercurrent medical conditions or active, uncontrolled infection
• History of allergic reactions to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• History of bleeding peptic ulcer within the past 3 months

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Inclusion criteria:

• Recovered from all prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• Concurrent aspirin for cardiovascular indications allowed
• More than 2 weeks since prior and no other concurrent NSAIDs

Exclusion criteria:

• Had radiotherapy or chemotherapy within 3 weeks (nitrosoureas or mitomycin C within 6 weeks) prior to anticipated first day of dosing
• Undergoing concurrent therapy with other investigational agents or antineoplastic therapy