Thalidomide and SU5416 in Treating Patients With Metastatic Melanoma

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic melanoma
• Bidimensionally measurable disease by MRI, CT scan, or chest x-ray
• No active brain metastases
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• ECOG 0-1
• Life expectancy:
• More than 12 weeks
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm\^3
• Hemoglobin greater than 8.5 g/dL
• Hepatic:
• PT/PTT normal
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• SGOT/SGPT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR
• Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min
• Cardiovascular:
• No uncompensated coronary artery disease by electrocardiogram or physical exam
• No myocardial infarction or severe or unstable angina within the past 6 months
• No deep venous thrombosis within the past 3 months
• No arterial thrombosis within the past 6 months
• Pulmonary:
• No pulmonary embolism within the past 6 months
• Other:
• HIV negative
• No active infection
• No medical, psychological, or social problem that would preclude study participation
• No history of gastrointestinal disorder that would interfere with absorption or swallowing of study medication
• No emotional disorder or substance abuse
• No diabetes mellitus with severe peripheral vascular disease
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use 2 forms of effective contraception for 4 weeks before, during, and for 4 weeks after study participation
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• No more than 1 prior biologic regimen
• No concurrent biologic response modifiers
• No concurrent hematopoietic growth factor support
• Concurrent epoetin alfa allowed
• Chemotherapy:
• No concurrent cytotoxic agents
• Endocrine therapy:
• No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy except megestrol acetate for appetite stimulation
• Radiotherapy:
• No prior large field radiotherapy to more than 20% total bone marrow
• No concurrent radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• At least 14 days since major surgery
• No prior major upper gastrointestinal surgery
• Other:
• No other concurrent investigational therapy