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