Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

- Histopathological/cytological diagnosis of nonresectable locally advanced, recurrent,
or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma (intra- or extra-hepatic), or gallbladder
carcinoma

- Adequate biliary drainage, with no evidence of active uncontrolled infection
(patients on antibiotics are eligible)

Exclusion criteria:

- Porphyria

- No brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

- ECOG performance status 0, 1, 2, or 3

- Estimated life expectancy > 3 months

- Women of child-bearing potential should have a negative pregnancy test prior to study
entry AND be using an adequate contraception method, which must be continued for 1
month after completion of treatment

- Not pregnant or nursing

Exclusion criteria:

- History of prior malignancy that will interfere with the response evaluation
(exceptions include in-situ carcinoma of the cervix treated by cone-biopsy/resection,
non-metastatic basal and/or squamous cell carcinomas of the skin, or any early stage
(stage l) malignancy adequately resected for cure greater than 5 years previously)

- Any evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic diseases or laboratory finding that
in the view of the investigator makes it undesirable for the patient to participate
in the trial

- Any psychiatric or other disorder likely to impact on informed consent

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Inclusion criteria:

- Patients may have undergone a non-curative operation (i.e., R2 resection [with
macroscopic residual disease] or palliative bypass surgery only) and fully recovered

- Patients who have previously undergone curative surgery must have evidence of
non-resectable disease relapse

- Patients may have received prior radiotherapy within the past 28 days (with or
without radio-sensitizing low-dose chemotherapy) for localized disease and fully
recovered

- Must have clear evidence of disease progression prior to inclusion in this study

- Patients may have received prior chemotherapy within the past 28 days and fully
recovered

- Must have clear evidence of disease progression prior to inclusion in this study

Exclusion criteria:

- Previous treatment with curative intent for current disease in the last 12 weeks
(i.e., prior resection, radical radiotherapy, or chemotherapy)

- Previous treatment with experimental therapy for current disease in the last 12 weeks

- No cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy (excluding
contraceptives and replacement steroids), or experimental medications will be
permitted for the first four weeks of the study