SU5416 in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Histologically or cytologically proven malignant mesothelioma (epithelial, sarcomatoid, or mixed subtype) that is not amenable to surgery or radiotherapy
• •Measurable disease
• •At least 20 mm by conventional techniques or at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• •Pleural effusions and ascites are not considered measurable lesions
• •Only site of measurable disease must not be located within prior radiotherapy port
• •Lesion must be accessible for biopsy
• •History of previously treated CNS metastasis allowed if:
• •* Neurologically stable
• •* No requirement for IV or oral steroids or IV anticonvulsants
• •* No active or residual disease by brain CT or MRI scan
• •Patients with neurologic signs or symptoms suggestive of CNS metastasis must have a negative brain CT or MRI scan
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Age: 18 and over
• •Performance status: WHO 0-2
• •Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks
• •WBC at least 3,000/mm3
• •Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3
• •Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• •SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal
• •Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• •No uncompensated coronary artery disease on electrocardiogram or physical examination
• •No history of myocardial infarction or severe/unstable angina within the past 6 months
• •No severe peripheral vascular disease associated with diabetes mellitus
• •No deep vein or arterial thrombosis within the past 3 months
• •No pulmonary embolism within the past 3 months
• •No significant uncontrolled underlying medical or psychiatric illness
• •No serious active infection
• •Not pregnant or nursing
• •Negative pregnancy test
• •Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• •No active second malignancy except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• •Patients are not considered to have active malignancy if they have completed therapy and are considered to be at less than 30% risk of relapse
• •No history of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to paclitaxel or docetaxel
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •No more than 1 prior systemic chemotherapy regimen
• •At least 4 weeks since prior systemic chemotherapy and recovered
• •Prior intrapleural cytotoxic agents (including bleomycin) allowed
• •No concurrent chemotherapy
• •At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• •No concurrent radiotherapy
• •At least 30 days since prior investigational drug and recovered
• •No concurrent investigational drug