Disulfiram and Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Refractory Solid Tumors or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

* Cohort 1 (dose escalation): histologic or cytologic proof of any solid tumor that is incurable with no standard therapy that is likely to make a major impact on clinical outcomes
* Cohort 2 (MTD) only: metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas; prior systemic treatment for metastatic disease is allowed
* Cohort 2 (MTD) only: Patient is thought to be a short- or long-term candidate for chemotherapy in the opinion of the treating oncologist
* Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1500/mm\^3 (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
* Platelet \>= 100,000/ mm\^3 (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
* Total bilirubin =\< 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN) (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\]) =\< 3 x ULN (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
* Creatinine =\< 1.5 x ULN (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
* Hemoglobin \>= 9.0 g/dL (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
* Cohort 2 (MTD) only: prothrombin time (PT)/international normalized ratio (INR) =\< 1.5 x ULN (only if muscle biopsy has not been waived, does not apply to non-Mayo sites that will not be conducting biopsies) (obtained =\< 7 days prior to registration)
* Ability to provide written informed consent
* Life expectancy \>= 12 weeks
* Cohort 2 (MTD) only: patient willing to undergo muscle biopsies at baseline and after 28 to 35 days of disulfiram/chemotherapy as required by the protocol unless the muscle biopsy has been waived after discussion with the principal investigator (PI); muscle biopsies will not be required at non-Mayo Clinic sites
* Cohort 2 (MTD) only: patient willing to have paraffin-embedded slides of the primary pancreas tumor or metastatic site, if available, sent to Mayo investigators for this study
* For women of childbearing potential only: negative urine or serum pregnancy test done =\< 7 days prior to registration
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0, 1 or 2
* Able to swallow or have medication administered through a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) and absorb the medication
* Patient willing to complete a medication diary
* Patient agrees to use acceptable form of contraception during the study and for up to 30 days after last study drug dose if female partner is of childbearing potential

  * 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 contraception, 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 (non-progesterone T)
    * Vaginal sponge (containing spermicide)
  * Other acceptable forms:

    * 100% commitment to abstinence
  * Unacceptable forms of contraception for women of childbearing potential:

    * Oral contraception containing progestins only
    * Intrauterine device (IUD) progesterone T
    * Female condom
    * Natural family planning (rhythm method) or breastfeeding
    * Fertility awareness
    * Withdrawal
    * Cervical shield

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known standard therapy for the patient's disease that is potentially curative
* Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, including localized infections, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
* Untreated brain metastases
* Any of the following:

  * Pregnant women
  * Nursing women This study involves an investigational agent whose genotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects on the developing fetus and newborn are unknown.
* Other concurrent chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, any ancillary therapy considered investigational (utilized for a non-Food and Drug Administration \[FDA\]-approved indication and in the context of a research investigation) or receiving any other investigational agent which would be considered as a treatment for the primary neoplasm
* Baseline of grade 2 or worse peripheral sensory neuropathy
* Receiving phenytoin
* Unable to abstain from alcohol for the duration of the study