Maytansinoid DM4-Conjugated Humanized Monoclonal Antibody huC242 in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed solid tumor * Inoperable or metastatic disease * Failed standard therapy * Confirmed cancer antigen (CanAg) expression * Patients must have non-colorectal cancer or pancreatic cancer * Tumor must have a homogeneous pattern (i.e., staining present in \> 75% of tumor cells for CanAg) and are 2+ or 3+ intensity by immunohistochemistry \* No known leptomeningeal disease or progressive brain disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm³ * Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL (transfusion allowed) * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³ * aPTT and INR ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL * Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL * AST and ALT \< 2.5 times ULN * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 30 days after completion of study treatment * No hypersensitivity to agents of the same class as the study drug, humanized or nonhumanized antibodies, or immunoconjugates * No active, uncontrolled infection * No hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C antibody positivity * No history of alcoholic liver disease * No serious medical or psychiatric disorder that would preclude compliance with study requirements * No peripheral neuropathy \> grade 1 * No other malignancy within the past 2 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or stage A low-grade prostate cancer * No severe concurrent disease or condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * Recovered from prior therapy * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas and mitomycin C) * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy for cancer * At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery * No concurrent chemotherapy, other immunotherapy, radiotherapy, or other investigational therapy * Palliative radiotherapy for related bone metastases allowed * No other concurrent anticancer therapy