Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed low-grade neuroendocrine tumors
• * Carcinoid tumors
• * Islet cell tumors
• Metastatic disease
• Progression of disease within past 4 weeks by radiological evidence
• At least 1 bidimensionally measurable lesion by CT scan or MRI
• * Bone metastasis not considered measurable if only site of disease
• No active brain metastases
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• Not specified
• Performance status:
• Karnofsky 70-100%
• Life expectancy:
• More than 3 months
• Hematopoietic:
• WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin normal
• AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min
• Other:
• 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
• No grade 2 or greater neuropathy
• No other clinical circumstances that would preclude study
• No other prior malignancy except:
• Non-melanoma skin cancer
• Other cancer that has been curatively treated, has had no evidence of recurrence within the past 5 years, and is at low risk for recurrence
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• No prior thalidomide
• No concurrent interferon
• Chemotherapy:
• No concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy:
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery
• Other:
• No more than 1 prior systemic therapy regimen
• At least 4 weeks since prior systemic therapy regimen
• No other concurrent therapeutic agent