Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Previously Treated With Irinotecan

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Diagnosis of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma incurable by surgery or not amenable to radiotherapy with curative intent
• Progressive disease no more than 3 months after completion of a prior weekly irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin calcium chemotherapy regimen
• At least 1 measurable lesion At least 20 mm in at least one dimension
• No known CNS metastases or carcinomatous meningitis
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age: 18 and over
• Performance status: ECOG 0-2
• Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks
• Absolute neutrophil count greater than 2,000/mm3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3
• Bilirubin no greater than 0.5 mg/dL above upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST no greater than 5 times ULN
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN OR creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min
• No unstable angina No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• No serious uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia
• No active or uncontrolled infection
• No evidence of other serious illness
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or noninvasive carcinomas
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• No concurrent sargramostim (GM-CSF)
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy
• No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for advanced colorectal cancer
• Prior adjuvant chemotherapy allowed
• No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of bone marrow
• At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery