Irofulven in Treating Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the breast
• Measurable disease outside previously irradiated area or occurred/progressed after completion of radiotherapy
• Must have received 1 or 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease
• * More than 3 prior regimens allowed
• No active brain metastases or meningeal breast cancer involvement
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Sex:
• Male or female
• Performance status:
• SWOG 0-2
• Hematopoietic:
• WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT or SGPT no greater than 3 times ULN (5 times ULN for liver metastases)
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• Cardiovascular:
• No history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina within the past 6 months
• No uncontrolled congestive heart failure
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• Prior diagnosis of cancer allowed (must be off cancer therapy and have no evidence of disease)
• No history of retinopathy and/or macular degeneration
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior irofulven