Vorinostat, Irinotecan, Fluorouracil, and Leucovorin in Treating Patients With Advanced Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed upper gastrointestinal tract cancer, including any of the following: * Esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) * Gastric cancer (adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) * Hepatocellular carcinoma * Locally advanced, inoperable disease or metastatic disease * No uncontrolled brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status (PS) 0-1 (Karnofsky PS ≥ 70%) * Life expectancy \> 12 weeks * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mcL * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mcL * Leukocytes ≥ 3,000/mcL * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL * AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document * No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to vorinostat (SAHA) or other agents used in the study * No uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, any of the following: * Ongoing or active infection * Symptomatic congestive heart failure * Uncontrolled hypertension * Unstable angina pectoris * Cardiac arrhythmia * Psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements * No coagulopathy or bleeding disorder * No known UGT1A1 polymorphism PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAP…