Vinflunine and Erlotinib or Pemetrexed in Treating Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Solid Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed solid tumors

  * Advanced/unresectable or metastatic disease
* Refractory to standard therapy OR no standard therapy exists
* No lymphoma
* Measurable or evaluable disease

  * Measurable disease is defined as at least one target lesion measuring ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques or ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  * Evaluable disease includes ascites, pleural effusion, bone metastases, pulmonary lymphangitic spread, and lesions not meeting above criteria as measurable

    * Patients with clinically significant ascites or pleural effusions that cannot be controlled by drainage are not eligible
* Brain metastases allowed if CNS-directed treatment has been given, patient has been off CNS-directed therapy for \> 3 months, and CNS disease has been clinically and radiographically stable for at least 8 weeks

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* Life expectancy \> 3 months
* ECOG performance status 0-2
* Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/μL
* Platelet count ≥ 100,000/μL
* Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min

  * Patients assigned to group 1 with creatinine clearance 45-80 mL/min must be able to withhold NSAIDS during pemetrexed disodium administration
* Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL
* AST and ALT ≤ 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) OR ≤ 5 times ULN if due to known liver metastases
* No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure
* No unstable angina
* No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
* No poorly controlled hypertension
* No prior allergic reaction to any vinca alkaloid
* No uncontrolled active infection or severe illness
* Able to receive vitamin B12 and folate supplementation and dexamethasone during chemotherapy
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after last dose of chemotherapy

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy, investigational agents, or surgery
* Concurrent cytochrome P450/CYP3A4 inducers or inhibitors are allowed provided patient has been on a stable dose for ≥ 2 weeks prior to study entry
* No concurrent ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, amprenavir, or indinavir
* No concurrent enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs) (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, or oxcarbazepine) for patients assigned to group 2