Combination Chemotherapy Plus Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Stage IIIB or Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IIIB (malignant pleural effusion) or stage IV non-small cell lung cancer

  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Basaloid carcinoma
  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Bronchoalveolar carcinoma
  • Adenosquamous carcinoma
  • Large cell carcinoma
  • Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
  • Giant cell carcinoma
  • Sarcomatoid carcinoma
  • Non-small cell carcinoma not otherwise specified

• Measurable disease

  • At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

    • At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
    • At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan

  • The following lesions are considered nonmeasurable:

    • Bone lesions
    • Leptomeningeal disease
    • Ascites
    • Pleural or pericardial effusions
    • Abdominal masses unconfirmed by imaging techniques
    • Cystic lesions
    • Previously irradiated brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use 2 methods of effective contraception 4 weeks prior to, during, and for at least 4 weeks after thalidomide
• No prior seizures
• No other concurrent or prior malignancy within the past 5 years except inactive nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No other serious medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• No prior chemotherapy
• No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• No concurrent hormonal therapy except steroids for adrenal failure, hormones for non-cancer-related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes) or intermittent dexamethasone as an antiemetic

Radiotherapy:

• Prior radiotherapy for brain metastasis allowed if neurologically stable and off steroids
• No concurrent palliative radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Not specified