Bortezomib in Treating Patients With Advanced Cancer and Liver Dysfunction

Inclusion Criteria: Histologically confirmed malignancy for which no known standard therapy that is potentially curative or definitely capable of extending life expectancy exists Tumor types may include any of the following: solid tumors: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Hepatocellular carcinoma, as evidenced by liver mass, elevated alpha-fetoprotein level (>= 500 ng/mL), and positive serology for hepatitis Pathological confirmation is not required Confirmatory evidence for a prior Hepatitis B infection (HBsAg, HBcAb and/or HBsAb) required No symptomatic CNS metastases Brain metastasis allowed if the following criteria are met: Received prior definitive treatment (radiation and/or surgery Stable disease for >= 4 weeks Not currently on enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants and steroids Life expectancy of at least 12 weeks Absolute neutrophil count >= 1,000/mm^3 Platelet count >= 100,000/mm^3 Biliary obstruction for which a shunt has been placed allowed provided the shunt has been in place for >= 10 days AND liver function is stable, defined as 2 measurements taken >= 2 days apart that qualify the patient for the same hepatic dysfunction stratum No biliary sepsis Creatinine =< 1.5 mg/dL No symptomatic congestive heart failure No unstable angina pectoris No cardiac arrhythmia No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test No preexisting neuropathy >= grade 2 No ongoing or active infection No other concurrent uncontrolled illness that would preclude study participation No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance More than 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy More than 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy No concurrent prophylactic colony-stimulating factors No concurrent immunotherapy No concurrent thalidomide Concurrent epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa for management of cancer-associated anemia allowed Recovered from prior chemotherapy (not including liver function) More than 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) No concurrent chemotherapy More than 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to > 50% of the bone marrow No concurrent radiotherapy More than 3 weeks since prior surgery No prior bortezomib No concurrent antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients No other concurrent investigational agents Concurrent cytochrome P450 interacting agents are allowed provided they are used with caution Concurrent bisphosphonate therapy allowed (e.g., pamidronate or zoledronate), except during course 1 of bortezomib administration ECOG 0-2 Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 30 days after study participation