Docetaxel and GEM 231 in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Solid Tumors

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose of docetaxel and GEM 231 in
patients with recurrent or refractory solid tumors. II. Determine any preliminary antitumor
activity of GEM 231 in this patient population.

OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation study of GEM 231 and docetaxel. Patients receive docetaxel
IV over 1 hour on day 1, immediately followed by GEM 231 IV over 2 hours on days 1, 4, 8, and
11. Treatment continues every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable
toxicity. Cohorts of 3-6 patients are treated with escalating doses of GEM 231 and docetaxel
until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose at which
no more than 2 of 6 patients experience dose limiting toxicity. Patients are followed monthly
for 3 months.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A maximum of 1 patient will be accrued per week for this study until the
maximum tolerated dose is reached.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed advanced solid tumor that is refractory
to standard therapy or for which no standard therapy exists Measurable or evaluable disease
No CNS metastases that are untreated, associated with seizures, or require intravenous
medication and/or hospitalization

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: Not
specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at
least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 8.5 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper
limit of normal (ULN), except Gilbert's syndrome PT and aPTT normal SGOT or SGPT less than
3 times ULN Renal: Creatinine less than 1.25 times ULN No renal tubular dysfunction (i.e.,
at least 2+ proteinuria within the past 2 weeks) Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative
pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception for 1 month prior to,
during, and 3 months after study No other serious medical condition that would prevent
compliance No serious infection Adequate venous access No known hypersensitivity to
docetaxel or any oligodeoxynucleotides No prior peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 2
No psychological or geographical condition that would prevent compliance

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 1 week since prior transfusion Prior
biologic therapy allowed and recovered No other concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy:
Prior chemotherapy allowed and recovered No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine
therapy: Prior hormonal therapy allowed and recovered Concurrent palliative hormonal
therapy allowed Radiotherapy: Prior radiotherapy allowed and recovered No concurrent
radiotherapy (except palliative) Surgery: At least 2 weeks since prior major surgery with
wound complications Other: At least 2 weeks since prior investigational drugs No other
investigational drugs during or within 28 days of study No concurrent CYP-3A metabolism
dependent drugs