Irinotecan Hydrochloride With or Without Alvocidib in Treating Patients With Advanced Stomach or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery

This randomized phase II trial studies how well giving irinotecan hydrochloride with or without alvocidib works in treating patients with advanced stomach or gastroesophageal junction cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as irinotecan hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Alvocidib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known whether irinotecan hydrochloride is more effective with or without alvocidib.