3-AP Plus Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus or Gastroesophageal Junction

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction

  • Metastatic or recurrent disease

• Measurable disease

  • At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  • Outside prior irradiation port
• No known brain metastases
• Performance status - ECOG 0-2
• Performance status - Karnofsky 50-100%
• More than 6 months
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• WBC ≥ 3,000/mm ^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal
• Bilirubin normal
• Creatine normal
• Creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min
• No prior myocardial infarction
• No unstable angina
• No cardiac arrhythmia
• No uncontrolled congestive heart failure
• No pulmonary disease requiring supplemental oxygen
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study participation
• No glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (for patients of African, Asian, or Mediterranean origin)
• No other concurrent uncontrolled illness
• No active or ongoing infection
• No active second malignancy
• No prior allergic reaction to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to 3-AP or other study agents
• No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
• At least 1 year since prior platinum-derivative agents
• No prior chemotherapy for metastatic or recurrent esophageal cancer
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• No other concurrent anticancer therapy
• No other concurrent investigational agents
• No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients