Bortezomib in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Previously Treated With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed extensive stage small cell lung cancer
• * Diagnosis by sputum cytology allowed provided it is confirmed by an independent pathologic review
• * Clinical evidence of recurrent or refractory disease does not require a confirmatory biopsy
• Measurable disease by plain radiographs, CT scan, or MRI
• * Prior radiotherapy to measurable disease allowed provided there is evidence of disease progression by CT scan OR there is measurable disease outside of the radiotherapy field
• Must have received a prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen and meet criteria for 1 of the following:
• * Platinum-sensitive disease, defined as an initial response with subsequent progression more than 90 days after last platinum treatment (temporarily closed to accrual as of 8/1/04)
• * Platinum-refractory disease, defined as no response to or progression during platinum treatment or subsequent progression no more than 90 days after last platinum treatment (temporarily closed to accrual as of 6/1/04)
• Brain and/or leptomeningeal metastases are allowed provided all of the following are true:
• * Asymptomatic on neurological exam
• * No concurrent corticosteroids for symptom control
• * No concurrent enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin or phenobarbital)
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age
• 18 and over
• Performance status
• Zubrod 0-1
• Life expectancy
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic
• Not specified
• Renal
• Creatinine no greater than upper limit of normal OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• Other
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No symptomatic sensory neuropathy greater than grade 1
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any other adequately treated stage I or II cancer currently in complete remission
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy
• See Disease Characteristics
• Radiotherapy
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent radiotherapy to measurable lesions
• Surgery
• At least 14 days since prior thoracic or other major surgery and recovered
• * Must have disease outside of the prior surgical resection area OR new lesion must be present