DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed advanced solid tumor

• Refractory disease

  • Patients must have been offered and refused OR received and failed prior treatment with all standard or approved therapies for the malignancy
• Measurable or evaluable disease as confirmed by radiographic or clinical evidence
• No curative therapy available

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status 0-2
• Life expectancy ≥ 3 months
• ANC > 1,500/mm³
• Platelet count > 75,000/mm³
• Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL
• Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
• AST and ALT < 3 times upper limit of normal
• Not pregnant
• No nursing during and for ≥ 28 days after completion of study treatment
• Two negative pregnancy tests required
• Fertile women must use effective double-method contraception for ≥ 28 days before, during, and for ≥ 28 days after completion of study treatment
• Men must use a latex condom during sexual contact with fertile females during and for ≥ 28 days after completion of study treatment, even if a prior successful vasectomy was performed
• Stable neurological exam
• No serious medical condition or psychiatric illness that would preclude study participation
• No prior desquamating rash or allergic reaction ≥ grade 2 while taking thalidomide, lenalidomide, or structurally related compounds
• No peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2
• No active infection
• No uncontrolled hyper- or hypocalcemia, glycosemia, or thyroidism

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• No prior CC-4047
• More than 28 days since prior cytotoxic chemotherapy (42 days for nitrosoureas)
• At least 14 days since prior therapeutic radiotherapy
• More than 14 days since prior thalidomide, lenalidomide, or structurally related compounds
• More than 14 days since prior biological response modifier therapy
• Concurrent radiotherapy to treat pain associated with existing bone lesions during the extension phase of the study allowed provided < 10% of bone marrow is irradiated
• Concurrent systemic steroids for control of CNS primary tumor and/or metastases symptoms allowed provided dose is stable or decreasing AND patient is also taking low-dose aspirin and/or other platelet-active, anti-thrombotic medication during and for 30 days after completion of study treatment
• No other concurrent chemotherapy or immunotherapy
• No other concurrent investigational agents
• No concurrent hematopoietic growth factors during the treatment phase of the study
• No other concurrent anticancer agents