Imatinib Mesylate in Treating Patients With Salivary Gland Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenoid cystic, lymphoepithelioma-like, or myoepithelial salivary gland cancer
• * Unresectable AND/OR
• * Radiologically documented metastatic disease
• c-kit positive tumor (1+, 2+, or 3+)
• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion
• * More than 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
• * More than 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• No known brain metastases
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age
• 18 and over
• Performance status
• ECOG 0-2
• Life expectancy
• More than 12 weeks
• Hematopoietic
• Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3
• Hepatic
• Bilirubin less than 1.25 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST/ALT less than 2.5 times ULN
• Renal
• Creatinine less than 1.25 times ULN OR
• Creatinine clearance greater than 50 mL/min
• Cardiovascular
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No congestive heart failure
• No unstable angina
• No active cardiomyopathy
• No unstable ventricular arrhythmias
• No uncontrolled hypertension
• Other
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 3 months after study
• No other active malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or non-melanomatous skin cancer
• No uncontrolled psychotic disorders
• No serious infections
• No active peptic ulcer disease
• No other serious medical condition that would preclude study
• No prior allergy to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition as imatinib mesylate
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy
• No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF)
• Chemotherapy
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent radiotherapy to sites of measurable disease
• Surgery
• At least 4 weeks since prior surgery and recovered
• Other
• No other concurrent investigational agents
• No concurrent therapeutic warfarin
• * Mini-dose warfarin for prophylaxis or low-molecular weight heparin allowed
• No concurrent erythromycin
• No concurrent acetaminophen doses exceeding 3 g/day