Paclitaxel in Treating Older Patients With Solid Tumors

OBJECTIVES:

- Determine whether there is a relationship between pharmacokinetic measurements of
paclitaxel and aging.

- Determine whether there is a relationship between the toxic effects of paclitaxel and
aging.

OUTLINE: Patients are stratified according to age (cohort 1: patients 55 to 64 vs cohort 2:
patients 65 to 75 vs cohort 3: patients 75 and over).

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically proven nonhematologic malignancy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 55 and over

Performance status:

- Zubrod 0-2

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL

- SGOT less than 2.0 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Cardiovascular:

- No uncontrolled or severe cardiovascular disease

Other:

- No serious intercurrent medical illnesses that in the judgement of the investigator
compromise patient care

- No psychiatric conditions that would preclude study

- No requirement for antibiotics for active acute infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Not specified

Chemotherapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin)

- No more than one prior chemotherapy regimen allowed

- No prior paclitaxel allowed

Endocrine therapy:

- Not specified

Radiotherapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior radiation therapy

Surgery:

- Not specified