VNP40101M in Treating Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed advanced or metastatic solid tumor or lymphoma for which no curative or standard effective therapy exists Measurable or evaluable disease Primary brain tumors or brain metastases allowed provided neurologic deficits are stable and do not preclude study compliance PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy At least 3 months Hematopoietic Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hematocrit at least 30% (transfusion allowed) No bleeding diathesis Hepatic PT and PTT no greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times ULN ALT and AST no greater than 1.5 times ULN (3 times ULN if liver metastases present) Albumin at least 2.5 gm/dL Renal Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular At least 3 months since prior myocardial infarction No symptomatic coronary artery disease No arrhythmias requiring medication No uncontrolled congestive heart failure Pulmonary No dyspnea on minimal or moderate exertion DLCO and FEV1 at least 60% predicted Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No uncontrolled active bleeding (e.g., active peptic ulcer disease) No active infection HIV negative PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Recovered from acute toxicities of prior biologic therapy (persisting, chronic toxicity allowed if stable and no greater than grade 1) Chemotherapy More than 6 months since prior high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support More than 3 weeks since prior cytotoxic chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosoureas) Recovered from acute toxicities of prior chemotherapy (persisting, chronic toxicity allowed if stable and no greater than grade 1) Endocrine therapy At least 2 weeks since prior hormonal therapy Radiotherapy Recovered from acute toxicities of prior radiotherapy (persisting, chronic toxicity allowed if stable and no greater than grade 1) Surgery At least 2 weeks since prior surgery Other No other concurrent standard or investigational treatment for cancer No concurrent disulfiram