Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine whether aminocamptothecin colloidal dispersion (AC/CD) administered as a 120 hour weekly infusion is an effective treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. II. Observe any toxicities associated with this treatment in this patient population.

OUTLINE: Patients receive a 120 hour continuous infusion of aminocamptothecin colloidal dispersion (AC/CD) once a week for 2 weeks, followed by 1 week of rest. Patients are assessed after every 2 courses of therapy. Treatment with aminocamptothecin continues indefinitely if there is tumor shrinkage or stable disease and no significant toxicity is experienced. Patients are followed every 3 months.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 19-36 patients will be accrued for this study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed measurable stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer No brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3500/mm3 Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Calcium and electrolytes normal Other: No other malignancy within past 5 years except curatively treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix Not pregnant or nursing No active infections or other serious medical conditions

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to site(s) of measurable disease Surgery: At least 3 weeks since any prior surgery