SU5416 in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically proven malignant mesothelioma (epithelial, sarcomatoid, or mixed subtype) that is not amenable to surgery or radiotherapy
• Measurable disease
• At least 20 mm by conventional techniques or at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• Pleural effusions and ascites are not considered measurable lesions
• Only site of measurable disease must not be located within prior radiotherapy port
• Lesion must be accessible for biopsy
• History of previously treated CNS metastasis allowed if:
• Neurologically stable
• No requirement for IV or oral steroids or IV anticonvulsants
• No active or residual disease by brain CT or MRI scan
• Patients with neurologic signs or symptoms suggestive of CNS metastasis must have a negative brain CT or MRI scan

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Age: 18 and over
• Performance status: WHO 0-2
• Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks
• WBC at least 3,000/mm3
• Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• No uncompensated coronary artery disease on electrocardiogram or physical examination
• No history of myocardial infarction or severe/unstable angina within the past 6 months
• No severe peripheral vascular disease associated with diabetes mellitus
• No deep vein or arterial thrombosis within the past 3 months
• No pulmonary embolism within the past 3 months
• No significant uncontrolled underlying medical or psychiatric illness
• No serious active infection
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No active second malignancy except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• Patients are not considered to have active malignancy if they have completed therapy and are considered to be at less than 30% risk of relapse
• No history of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to paclitaxel or docetaxel

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• No more than 1 prior systemic chemotherapy regimen
• At least 4 weeks since prior systemic chemotherapy and recovered
• Prior intrapleural cytotoxic agents (including bleomycin) allowed
• No concurrent chemotherapy
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent radiotherapy
• At least 30 days since prior investigational drug and recovered
• No concurrent investigational drug