NCT01609556

Who might be able to join this trial:

• You have an advanced solid tumor cancer that has stopped responding to standard treatments, has no standard treatment available, or you have chosen not to pursue standard treatment.
• You are willing to provide a stored sample of your tumor tissue (a block or slides) for research testing.
• You are fairly active and able to care for yourself, with little or no limitation in daily activities (based on a standard doctor's rating scale).
• Enough time has passed since your last cancer treatment — generally at least 4 weeks since chemotherapy or radiation, though the exact timing depends on the type of treatment you received (confirm with trial site).
• Any side effects from previous cancer treatments have gone away or become stable.
• If you had major surgery, it was completed at least 4 weeks before starting the study, and you have recovered from it.
• Your blood counts, liver, and kidney are functioning well enough to meet the study's requirements.
• If your cancer has spread to the brain, it has been treated (by surgery or radiation ending at least 4 weeks ago), your symptoms are mild or gone, you do not need a steroid medication called dexamethasone, and a follow-up brain scan shows the treated area is stable with no new spots.
• You are willing and able to sign a consent form and follow the study schedule.
• If you are a woman who could become pregnant, or a man, you agree to use effective birth control during the study and for at least 12 weeks after your last dose.
• If you are a woman who could become pregnant, you have a negative pregnancy test before starting treatment.

Who may not be able to join:

• You have nerve damage or numbness/tingling that is more than mild (confirm with trial site).
• You have any active or long-term eye or cornea condition, such as Sjögren's syndrome, certain corneal diseases, a history of corneal transplant, active eye infections, wet macular degeneration needing eye injections, active diabetic eye disease with swelling, swelling of the optic nerve, or vision in only one eye.
• You have a serious ongoing illness, including any of the following:
  • An active infection, such as hepatitis B or C, HIV, shingles, cytomegalovirus, or another infection that required IV antibiotics within the last 2 weeks.
  • Significant heart problems, such as a heart attack within the last 6 months, unstable chest pain, uncontrolled heart failure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, uncontrolled irregular heartbeat, severe narrowing of the aortic heart valve, or serious heart side effects from previous chemotherapy.
  • A history of multiple sclerosis or similar nerve diseases, a certain muscle weakness syndrome linked to cancer, a stroke within the last 6 months, or alcoholic liver disease.
  • A previous diagnosis of lung inflammation caused by cancer treatment.
• You are currently receiving any other cancer treatment, such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation, or other investigational drugs (low-dose steroids and certain hormone treatments for prostate cancer may be allowed — confirm with trial site).
• You have had a serious allergic reaction to a type of cancer drug called a monoclonal antibody or to a related class of drugs called maytansinoids.
• You have had another type of solid tumor cancer within the last 3 years, unless it was a type of skin cancer, or an early-stage cervical, breast, or prostate cancer that has shown no signs of activity for at least 2 years.
• You are currently taking any vitamins that contain folate (such as folic acid supplements).
• You have previously received a bone marrow transplant from a donor or from your own cells.
• You are pregnant or currently breastfeeding.

Important: Always verify eligibility with the trial site directly before applying.