SarCNU in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Histologically confirmed colorectal cancer
• •* Locally recurrent or metastatic disease
• •* Previously treated with 1 chemotherapy regimen for recurrent or metastatic disease
• •At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion
• •* At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
• •* At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• •* No prior radiotherapy to indicator lesion (clear disease progression or new lesion within a prior radiation port is acceptable)
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Age:
• •18 and over
• •Performance status:
• •ECOG 0-2
• •Life expectancy:
• •Not specified
• •Hematopoietic:
• •Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• •Platelet count at least 120,000/mm\^3
• •Hepatic:
• •Bilirubin normal
• •AST and ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal
• •Renal:
• •Creatinine normal OR
• •Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• •Cardiovascular:
• •No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• •No unstable angina pectoris
• •No cardiac arrhythmia
• •Pulmonary:
• •DLCO at least 80% predicted
• •FVC at least 80% predicted
• •No history of significant pulmonary disease
• •No concurrent symptomatic pulmonary disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, chronic asthma)
• •Other:
• •No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• •No other serious illness or medical condition that would preclude study
• •No ongoing or active uncontrolled infection
• •No history of significant neurologic or psychiatric disorder that would preclude study
• •Not pregnant or nursing
• •Negative pregnancy test
• •Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •Biologic therapy:
• •At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy
• •No concurrent immunotherapy
• •Chemotherapy:
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •Prior adjuvant chemotherapy allowed
• •No prior nitrosoureas
• •No prior second-line chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic disease
• •At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy
• •No other concurrent chemotherapy
• •Endocrine therapy:
• •No concurrent corticosteroids
• •Radiotherapy:
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •Prior radiotherapy as part of primary therapy allowed
• •At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• •No concurrent radiotherapy
• •Surgery:
• •Prior surgery as part of primary therapy allowed
• •Prior reoperation for recurrent disease allowed
• •At least 2 weeks since prior surgery other than biopsy
• •Other:
• •At least 4 weeks since prior investigational agent
• •No other concurrent investigational agents or therapy
• •No other concurrent anticancer therapy