Combination Chemotherapy and Exisulind in Treating Patients With Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Histologically or cytologically confirmed small cell lung cancer
• •At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion
• •* At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
• •* At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• •* Lesions considered nonmeasurable include:
• •* Bone lesions
• •* Leptomeningeal disease
• •* Ascites
• •* Pleural/pericardial effusion
• •* Abdominal masses that are not confirmed and followed by imaging techniques
• •* Cystic lesions
• •* Tumor lesions situated in a previously irradiated area
• •Must not be considered for combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy
• •No active CNS metastases
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Age:
• •18 and over
• •Performance status:
• •ECOG 0-2
• •Life expectancy:
• •Not specified
• •Hematopoietic:
• •Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• •Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• •Hepatic:
• •Bilirubin normal
• •AST no greater than 2 times ULN
• •No clinically significant hepatic disease
• •Renal:
• •Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL OR
• •Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• •No clinically significant renal disease
• •Cardiovascular:
• •No clinically significant cardiac disease
• •Other:
• •Not pregnant or nursing
• •Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• •No concurrent uncontrolled illness
• •No known sensitivity to sulindac
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •Biologic therapy:
• •Not specified
• •Chemotherapy:
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •No prior chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer
• •No other concurrent chemotherapy
• •Endocrine therapy:
• •No concurrent hormonal agents except:
• •* Steroids for adrenal failure
• •* Hormones for nondisease-related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes)
• •* Intermittent use of dexamethasone as an antiemetic
• •Radiotherapy:
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy, including for palliation
• •No concurrent radiotherapy
• •Surgery:
• •Not specified
• •Other:
• •More than 7 days since prior sulindac
• •No concurrent sulindac