Etanercept in Treating Cancer-Related Cachexia and Anorexia in Patients With Advanced Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignancy except brain cancer If the patient has multiple primaries or an unknown primary, the currently active cancer cannot be brain cancer Disease considered incurable with available therapies No clinical evidence of ascites Weight loss of at least 5 pounds (2.3 kg) within the past 2 months (excluding perioperative weight loss) and/or estimated caloric intake of less than 20 cal/kg daily Weight gain determined by physician to be beneficial Patient perceives weight loss as a problem PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy More than 3 months Hematopoietic Not specified Hepatic Not specified Renal Not specified Cardiovascular No poorly controlled congestive heart failure No poorly controlled hypertension No pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, stents, or metal suture material in the heart or great vessels (for patients participating in the BIA translational portion of the study) Gastrointestinal No known mechanical obstruction of the alimentary tract No malabsorption No intractable vomiting (more than 5 episodes/week) Not concurrently receiving tube feedings or parenteral nutrition Other Able to reliably administer subcutaneous medication twice weekly Alert and mentally competent Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy More than 1 month since prior infliximab No concurrent live vaccination Chemotherapy Concurrent chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy At least 1 month since prior adrenal steroids No concurrent adrenal steroids (inhalant, topical, or optical steroids allowed) Concurrent short-term dexamethasone for chemotherapy-induced emesis is allowed Radiotherapy Concurrent radiotherapy allowed Surgery Not specified Other More than 1 month since prior etanercept No concurrent evaluation with another device that injects an electrical current into the body (for patients participating in the bioelectrical impendance analysis [BIA] translational portion of the study)