BCX-1777 in Treating Patients With Refractory Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed diagnosis of 1 of the following: * Hematologic malignancy that is refractory to at least 1 prior curative treatment * Non-hematologic tumor that is refractory to at least 2 prior therapies, with or without measurable disease, including the following: * Gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma of 1 of the following sites: * Pancreatic * Biliary * Gastric * Colorectal * Esophageal * Melanoma * Ovarian cancer * Astrocytoma brain tumor * Not immediately eligible for any other treatment that would be potentially curative or life-prolonging, in the opinion of the investigator * Patients who may be candidates for future bone marrow transplantation are eligible * No brain metastases (other than astrocytomas) * No clinically significant pleural effusion * No complete tumor obstruction (e.g., bronchus, ureter, or bowel) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-2 OR * Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * WBC at least 3,500/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count greater than 50,000/mm\^3 * Hematocrit stable without the need for transfusion (epoetin alfa support allowed) Hepatic * Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (unless due to Gilbert's syndrome) * SGOT and SGPT less than 2 times ULN * No active hepatitis B or C Renal * Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min C…