Perifosine in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Recurrent Malignant Melanoma

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed malignant melanoma
• Metastatic or recurrent disease deemed incurable by standard therapies
• Clinically and/or radiologically documented disease by at least 1 site that is unidimensionally measurable as follows:
• * At least 20 mm by x-ray or physical exam
• * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• * At least 20 mm by non-spiral CT scan
• * Bone lesions are not considered measurable
• * Outside previously irradiated area unless evidence of progression or new lesions within irradiated field
• No known brain metastases
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age
• 18 and over
• Performance status
• ECOG 0-2
• Life expectancy
• At least 12 weeks
• Hematopoietic
• Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic
• Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST no greater than 2.5 times ULN
• Renal
• Creatinine no greater than ULN
• Cardiovascular
• No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• No unstable angina pectoris
• No cardiac arrhythmia
• Other
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No prior allergic reactions to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to perifosine
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No ongoing or active infection
• No other concurrent uncontrolled medical illness, psychiatric illness, or social situation that would preclude study entry
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy
• At least 3 months since prior adjuvant immunotherapy
• No prior immunotherapy for recurrent/metastatic disease
• Chemotherapy
• No prior chemotherapy (including regional therapy)
• No other concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy (except for low-dose, nonmyelosuppressive radiotherapy)
• Surgery
• At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery
• Other
• No other concurrent anticancer therapy or investigational agents