SU5416 in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Locally Recurrent Colorectal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed metastatic or locally recurrent adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum
Progressive disease as defined by new or progressive radiologic lesions
Measurable disease at least 1 dimension as at least 20 mm with conventional techniques or at least 10 mm with spiral CT scan
Lesions seen on colonoscopic examination or barium studies, bone metastases, CNS lesions, CEA levels and ascites are not considered measurable
Lesion accessible for biopsy which is not within prior radiation port
Known history of CNS metastasis allowed if patients have had treatment, are neurologically stable, and do not require oral or intravenous steroids or anticonvulsants, provided brain scan (CT or MRI) shows absence of active or residual disease
If neurologic signs or symptoms suggestive of CNS metastasis, negative brain scan required

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
Transaminases 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
No history of myocardial infarction or severe/unstable angina within past 6 months
No severe peripheral vascular disease associated with diabetes mellitus
No deep venous or arterial thrombosis within past 3 months
No pulmonary embolism within past 3 months
Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
No other significant uncontrolled underlying medical or psychiatric illness
No serious active infections
No concurrent second malignancy except for nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix unless completed therapy and 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 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease
At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy
No concurrent chemotherapy
No other concurrent investigational antineoplastic drugs
No prior radiotherapy to only site of measurable disease
At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
No concurrent radiotherapy
At least 30 days since other prior investigational drugs