Irinotecan and Carboplatin in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed small cell lung cancer, meeting 1 of the following criteria:
• * Previously untreated metastatic or extensive disease
• * Malignant pleural effusion or multifocal lung disease is considered metastatic or extensive disease
• * Prior radiotherapy allowed
• * Recurrent disease
• * Limited, metastatic, or extensive disease
• * Relapsed after prior chemotherapy, excluding irinotecan hydrochloride
• * At least 90 days since prior chemotherapy
• Measurable disease, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 1 cm by physical examination or radiographic techniques
• Known brain metastases allowed
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• ECOG performance status 0-2
• Life expectancy ≥ 3 months
• White Blood Cells \> 3,000/mm³
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm³
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³
• Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL
• Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL
• SGOT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (5 times ULN if liver metastases present)
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after completion of study treatment
• No medical disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude study treatment
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 10 days since prior radiotherapy (including brain)
• No prior irinotecan hydrochloride
• At least 2 weeks since prior and no concurrent anticonvulsants
• No concurrent radiotherapy