Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors and Liver or Kidney Dysfunction

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed solid tumor, including gliomas and the following epithelial malignancies:

  * Non-small cell lung
  * Mesothelioma
  * Breast
  * Head and neck
  * Esophageal
  * Pancreatic
  * Bladder
  * Prostate
  * Ovarian
  * Anal
  * Colorectal carcinoma
  * Cervical carcinoma
  * Hepatocellular carcinoma
* Metastatic or unresectable disease
* Standard curative or palliative therapy does not exist or is no longer effective
* Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positive
* Hepatic or renal dysfunction defined as one of the following:

  * Direct bilirubin 1.0-7.0 mg/dL with any AST
  * Albumin less than 2.5 g/dL
  * Creatinine 2.5-5.0 mg/dL
* Brain metastases allowed provided patient is asymptomatic, previously treated, has stable disease for at least 2 months, and is not currently receiving steroid therapy
* Hormone receptor status:

  * Not specified
* Male or female
* Performance status - ECOG 0-2
* Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
* See Disease Characteristics
* No evidence of biliary obstruction
* See Disease Characteristics
* No evidence of renal obstruction
* No symptomatic congestive heart failure
* No unstable angina pectoris
* No cardiac arrhythmia
* No gastrointestinal tract disease that would preclude ability to take oral medications
* No requirement for IV alimentation
* No active peptic ulcer disease
* No prior corneal abnormalities (e.g., dry eye syndrome or Sjogren's syndrome)
* No prior congenital abnormality (e.g., Fuch's dystrophy)
* No prior abnormal slit-lamp exam using a vital dye (e.g., fluorescein or Bengal-Rose)
* No prior abnormal corneal sensitivity test (e.g., Schirmer test or similar tear production test)
* No other concurrent uncontrolled illness
* No ongoing or active infection
* No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) or sargramostim (GM-CSF)
* At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for melphalan or mitomycin)
* No prior nitrosoureas
* See Disease Characteristics
* No concurrent steroids
* At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
* At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery
* No prior surgical procedures affecting absorption
* No prior EGFR-targeting therapies, including gefitinib or Imclone C-225
* At least 3 months since prior suramin
* More than 7 days since prior grapefruit juice
* More than 7 days since other prior CYP3A4 inhibitors
* No concurrent grapefruit juice
* No concurrent CYP3A4 inducers, substrates, or other inhibitors
* No concurrent medications known to affect hepatic or renal function, including antiseizure medication or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
* No concurrent combination anti-retroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients