Bryostatin 1 in Treating Patients With Stage IV Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Unequivocal diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer
Bidimensionally measurable disease
No uncontrolled CNS metastases
No disease that is evaluable only, including blastic bone disease, malignant ascites, and malignant pleural effusion

Hormone receptor status:

Not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Menopausal status:

Not specified

Performance status:

SWOG 0-2 OR
Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

At least 18 weeks

Hematopoietic:

Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3
PT and PTT within normal limits
Neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than 1.2 mg/dL
Transaminases no greater than 3 times normal

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 1.6 mg/dL OR
Creatinine clearance at least 70 mL/min

Other:

No active infections requiring antibiotics
No viral hepatitis allowed
Seronegative for hepatitis B or C
Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 2 months following study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

No concurrent immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

2 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease allowed as adjuvant therapy or for advanced disease (may include high dose chemotherapy with stem cell support)
At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy
At least 6 weeks since prior nitrosourea or mitomycin therapy
No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

2 prior hormonal therapy regimens for metastatic disease as adjuvant therapy or for advanced diseases allowed
At least 2 weeks since prior hormonal therapy (at least 4 weeks in case of disease progression while receiving hormonal therapy after initial response)
No concurrent hormonal therapy except oral contraceptives
No concurrent use of steroids except for management of severe or life- threatening toxic effects arising from bryostatin 1

Radiotherapy:

At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy
No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

Not specified

Other:

No concurrent use of drugs known to interfere with platelet function, such as aspirin or NSAIDs (including ibuprofen)
No concurrent use of anticoagulants
At least 2 weeks since prior use of aspirin
At least 2 days since prior use of NSAIDS
Concurrent use of acetaminophen to control pain is allowed
If acetaminophen inadequate for pain control, concurrent use of oral narcotics such as codeine or oxycodone is allowed