GDC-0449 and Erlotinib Hydrochloride With or Without Gemcitabine Hydrochloride in Treating Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer or Solid Tumors That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery

• Histologic proof of a solid tumor that is now unresectable, not amenable to any other standard therapies, or patient refuses standard therapy

  • Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas amenable to biopsies (cohort II MTD only)
• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/μL
• Platelets >= 100,000/μL
• Total bilirubin =\< upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) =\< 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Creatinine =\< 1.5 times ULN
• Hemoglobin >= 9.0 g/dL
• International Normalized Ratio (INR) within normal limits (for patients treated at the MTD)
• Ability to provide informed consent
• Willingness to return to Mayo Clinic for follow up
• Life expectancy >= 12 weeks
• Willingness to provide the biologic specimens as required by the protocol
• Negative serum pregnancy test done =\< 7 days prior to registration
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0-2
• Able to swallow or have medication administered through a G-tube and absorb the medication

• Participant agrees to use an acceptable form of contraception; acceptable forms of contraception:

  • Latex condom (always used with spermicide)
  • Diaphragm (always used with spermicide)
  • Cervical cap (always used with spermicide)

Acceptable forms of secondary contraceptions, when used along with a barrier method:

• Hormonal contraception methods, including pills, patches, rings, or injections except progestin-only containing pills (i.e. "Mini-pill")
• Tubal ligation
• Partner's vasectomy
• Intrauterine device (IUD) (non-progesterone T)
• Vaginal sponge (containing spermicide)
• 100% commitment to abstinence

Unacceptable forms of contraception for women of childbearing potential:

• Oral contraception containing progestins only
• IUD progesterone T
• Female condom
• Natural family planning (rhythm method) or breastfeeding
• Fertility awareness
• Withdrawal

• Cervical shield

  • Willing to abstain from smoking
  • Willing to complete a daily pill diary

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known standard therapy for the patient's disease that is potentially curative or definitely capable of extending life expectancy
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements

• Any of the following prior therapies:

  • Chemotherapy =\< 4 weeks prior to registration
  • Mitomycin C/nitrosoureas =\< 6 weeks prior to registration
  • Immunotherapy =\< 4 weeks prior to registration
  • Biologic therapy =\< 4 weeks prior to registration
  • Radiation therapy =\< 4 weeks prior to registration
  • Radiation to > 25% of bone marrow
• Failure to fully recover from acute, reversible effects of prior therapy regardless of interval since last treatment
• New York Heart Association classification III or IV
• Seizure disorder
• Central nervous system (CNS) metastases if not stable for at least 2-3 months based on imaging, clinical assessment, and use of steroids, or seizure disorder
• Pregnant women
• Nursing women
• Men or women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception until 12 months after last study drug dose
• Other concurrent chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, or any ancillary therapy considered investigational (utilized for a non-Food and Drug Administration [FDA]-approved indication and in the context of a research investigation)
• Current therapy with a CYP3A4 inhibitor or inducer
• Immunocompromised patients (other than that related to the use of corticosteroids) including patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treatment
• Receiving any other investigational agent which would be considered as a treatment for the primary neoplasm
• Active other malignancy, excepting non-melanotic skin cancer or carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix; if there is a history of prior malignancy, they must not be receiving other specific treatment (other than hormonal therapy) for their cancer
• History of myocardial infarction =\< 6 months, or congestive heart failure requiring use of ongoing maintenance therapy for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias
• Abnormalities of the cornea based on history (e.g., dry eye syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome), congenital abnormality (e.g., Fuch's dystrophy), abnormal slit-lamp examination using a vital dye (e.g., fluorescein, Bengal Rose), and/or an abnormal corneal sensitivity test (Schirmer test or similar tear production test)
• More than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for the current metastatic malignancy; full dose chemotherapy used in conjunction with concurrent radiation therapy will be included as prior therapy; Note: prior hormonal therapy (e.g. leuprolide, aromatase inhibitors, tamoxifen) will be allowed and not included as a prior chemotherapy
• Previous therapy with a hedgehog inhibitor