Karenitecin in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed relapsed or refractory non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)
• * Squamous cell carcinoma
• * Basaloid carcinoma
• * Adenocarcinoma
• * Bronchoalveolar carcinoma
• * Adenosquamous cell carcinoma
• * Large cell carcinoma
• * Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
• * Giant cell carcinoma
• * Sarcomatoid carcinoma
• * Non-small cell carcinoma not otherwise specified
• Histologic or cytologic documentation of recurrence required if disease previously completely resected
• Must have had only 1 prior chemotherapy regimen, including adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy for NSCLC
• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion
• * At least 20 mm with conventional techniques OR
• * At least 10 mm with spiral CT scan
• * Lesions that are not considered measurable include the following:
• * Bone lesions
• * Leptomeningeal disease
• * Ascites
• * Pleural/pericardial effusion
• * Abdominal masses not confirmed and followed by imaging techniques
• * Cystic lesions
• * Tumor lesions in a previously irradiated area
• Controlled CNS metastases allowed if patient is neurologically stable and off steroids
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• ECOG 0-1
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than upper limit of normal
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin)
• No prior irinotecan or other camptothecin drug
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• No concurrent hormonal therapy except for non-cancer-related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes)
• No concurrent steroids except for adrenal failure
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• Prior radiotherapy for symptomatic lesions or those that might produce disability (e.g., painful bone metastases) allowed if other measurable disease present
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent palliative radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• See Disease Characteristics