Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
* Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignancy except brain cancer
* If the patient has multiple primaries or an unknown primary, the currently active cancer cannot be brain cancer
* Disease considered incurable with available therapies
* No clinical evidence of ascites
* Weight loss of at least 5 pounds (2.3 kg) within the past 2 months (excluding perioperative weight loss) and/or estimated caloric intake of less than 20 cal/kg daily
* Weight gain determined by physician to be beneficial
* Patient perceives weight loss as a problem
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
Age
* 18 and over
Performance status
* ECOG 0-2
Life expectancy
* More than 3 months
Hematopoietic
* Not specified
Hepatic
* Not specified
Renal
* Not specified
Cardiovascular
* No poorly controlled congestive heart failure
* No poorly controlled hypertension
* No pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, stents, or metal suture material in the heart or great vessels (for patients participating in the BIA translational portion of the study)
Gastrointestinal
* No known mechanical obstruction of the alimentary tract
* No malabsorption
* No intractable vomiting (more than 5 episodes/week)
* Not concurrently receiving tube feedings or parenteral nutrition
Other
* Able to reliably administer subcutaneous medication twice weekly
* Alert and mentally competent
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
Biologic therapy
* More than 1 month since prior infliximab
* No concurrent live vaccination
Chemotherapy
* Concurrent chemotherapy allowed
Endocrine therapy
* At least 1 month since prior adrenal steroids
* No concurrent adrenal steroids (inhalant, topical, or optical steroids allowed)
* Concurrent short-term dexamethasone for chemotherapy-induced emesis is allowed
Radiotherapy
* Concurrent radiotherapy allowed
Surgery
* Not specified
Other
* More than 1 month since prior etanercept
* No concurrent evaluation with another device that injects an electrical current into the body (for patients participating in the bioelectrical impendance analysis \[BIA\] translational portion of the study)