Bevacizumab, Docetaxel, and Gemcitabine Patients With Stage IIIB, Stage IV, or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as docetaxel and gemcitabine hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving bevacizumab together with docetaxel and gemcitabine hydrochloride may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving bevacizumab together with docetaxel and gemcitabine hydrochloride works in treating patients with stage IIIB, stage IV, or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Primary * Estimate the 1-year progression-free survival rate in patients with stage IIIB, stage IV, or recurrent non-squamous cell non-small cell lung cancer treated with bevacizumab, docetaxel, and gemcitabine hydrochloride. Secondary * Evaluate the median time to progression in patients treated with this regimen. * Estimate the response rate in patients treated with this regimen. * Determine the median overall survival of patients treated with this regimen. * Determine the incidence of adverse events associated with this regimen in these patients. OUTLINE: Patients receive bevacizumab IV over 30-90 minutes and docetaxel IV over 60 minutes on day 1 and gemcitabine hydrochloride IV over 30 minutes on days 1 and 8. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with responsive or stable disease may then continue to receive bevacizumab alone for up to 12 months in the absence of disease progression. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months.