SB-715992 in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced, Recurrent, or Metastatic Liver Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma * Locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic disease * Histologically confirmed disease must have archival paraffin-fixed tumor specimen available * Measurable disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable site of disease ≥ 20 mm by x-ray, physical exam, or non-spiral CT scan OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Outside of previously irradiated area * Patients whose sole site of disease is in a previously irradiated field are eligible provided there is evidence of disease progression OR new lesions documented in the irradiated field * Bone metastases are not considered measurable disease * Not curable by standard therapies * No cholangiocarcinoma PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic * Absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 80,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST ≤ 5 times ULN * Must have hepatic reserve of Child-Turcotte-Pugh class A or better Renal * Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min Cardiovascular * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia * No active cardiomyopathy * No uncontrolled hypertension Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * …