KRN7000 in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically proven solid tumor that is refractory to conventional treatment or for which no curative or standard palliative treatment exists No brain involvement or leptomeningeal disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG/WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 4,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Lymphocyte count at least 600/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL AST and ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal No liver cirrhosis Hepatitis B surface antigen negative Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.4 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Immunologic: No immunodeficiency No autoimmune disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No active infection No nonmalignant disease incompatible with study No prior alcoholism, drug addiction, or psychotic disorders unless suitable for adequate follow up No cerebroside metabolite abnormalities (e.g., Gaucher's disease) HIV negative PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 3 months since prior immunotherapy No concurrent cytokines Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas, mitomycin, and high dose chemotherapy) Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy (6 weeks for extensive radiotherapy) No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concurrent investigational or antitumor drugs