APF530 or Aloxi (Palonosetron Hydrochloride) Combined With Dexamethasone in Preventing Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy for Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignant disease * No head and neck cancer or upper gastrointestinal cancer * Scheduled to receive a single day of moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimen (for ≤ 4 courses) * Chemotherapy administration ≤ 4 hours * Duration of each course ≤ 28 days * Causing nausea and vomiting in 30-100% of patients if untreated according to Hesketh algorithm * Must be able to receive standardized doses of dexamethasone for the prevention of emesis during study treatment * No greater than mild nausea or any vomiting within 24 hours before beginning study treatment PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No known allergy or hypersensitivity to other selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists or local anesthetics * QTc interval ≤ 500 ms * No cardiac abnormality predisposing the patient to arrhythmia * No psychological problem that, in the opinion of the investigator, is severe enough to preclude study participation * No recent history (i.e., ≤ 1 year) of alcohol or drug abuse * No concurrent condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, could affect assessment of study medication or interfere with the nausea/vomiting response (e.g., severe renal or hepatic impairment) PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * No radiotherapy 7 days prior to, during, and 5 days af…