Oblimersen and Interferon Alfa in Treating Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To estimate the objective response rate of metastatic renal cancer to the combination of G3139 plus α-Interferon (α-IFN). SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To further assess the clinical toxicity of this combination. II. To evaluate the impact of G3139 plus α-IFN on molecular targets involved in the regulation of apoptosis in tumor cells and lymphocytes. III. To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of G3139 when given with α-IFN at this dose and schedule. IV. To evaluate the potential toxicity of this combination on cells of the immune system. OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients receive oblimersen IV continuously on days 1-7 and interferon alfa subcutaneously on days 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 of course 1 and on days 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12 of all subsequent courses. Courses repeat every 14 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients achieving a complete remission (CR) receive an additional 2 courses past CR. Patients are followed for survival. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 21-41 patients will be accrued for this study within 20-24 months.