DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignancy

  • Metastatic and unresectable disease for which standard curative or palliative measures do not exist or are no longer effective
  • Previously treated or untreated disease allowed
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma amenable to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with curative intent are allowed only if stem cell transplant is refused or is not indicated
• Measurable or evaluable disease per RECIST criteria

• Previously treated brain metastases clinically and radiographically stable or improved ≥ 4 weeks after completion of radiation therapy and off steroids are allowed

  • An MRI of the brain or CT scan of the head with contrast must be performed at baseline for patients with history and/or symptoms suspicious of brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status (PS) 0-2 OR Karnofsky PS 60-100%
• Life expectancy > 3 months
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/μL
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/μL
• Total bilirubin normal
• AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal
• Creatinine normal OR creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for ≥ 1 month after completion of study therapy
• Baseline peripheral neuropathy < grade 2
• No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to R-(-)-gossypol acetic acid or other study agents
• No requirement for routine hematopoietic growth factors (including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or interleukin-11) or platelet transfusions to maintain absolute neutrophil counts or platelet counts above the required thresholds for study entry
• No condition (e.g., gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or a requirement for IV alimentation, prior surgical procedures affecting absorption, or active peptic ulcer disease) that impairs ability to swallow and retain R-(-)-gossypol acetic acid tablets
• No malabsorption syndrome, disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function, or resection of the stomach or small bowel
• No ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or a partial or complete small bowel obstruction

• No uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, any of the following:

  • Ongoing or active infection
  • Symptomatic congestive heart failure
  • Unstable angina pectoris
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Psychiatric illness or social situations that would affect safety or limit compliance with study requirements
• No myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery within the past 3 months
• No symptomatic hypercalcemia > grade 2

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from prior surgical procedures and adverse events from prior therapy as judged by the investigator

• No more than 9 months of prior marrow-damaging cytotoxic chemotherapy including, but not limited to, platinum agents, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, carmustine, and mitomycin C

  • Non-alkylator chemotherapy agents (e.g., fluorouracil or taxanes) are not considered marrow-damaging chemotherapy
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) or molecular therapy
• At least 6 weeks since prior chemotherapy regimen containing carmustine
• At least 2 weeks since prior and no concurrent radiation therapy and < 30% of the bone marrow receiving radiation dose ≥ 3,000 cGy
• More than 4 weeks since prior hormonal agents used for anticancer activity or biologic-response modifiers
• More than 4 weeks since prior and no concurrent other treatment with an investigational agent or device
• No prior high-dose therapy requiring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
• No prior anticancer treatments involving radioactive pharmaceuticals
• No prior use of racemic gossypol or R-(-)-gossypol acetic acid
• No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients
• No other concurrent anticancer agents or therapies