Sorafenib and Interferon Alfa in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Kidney Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma

Locally advanced or metastatic disease
All histologic subtypes allowed

Measurable disease

At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan
No known brain metastases or leptomeningeal disease
Performance status - ECOG 0-2
WBC ≥ 3,000/mm^3
Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
No bleeding diathesis
Bilirubin normal
AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN
Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
No uncontrolled hypertension
No symptomatic congestive heart failure
No unstable angina pectoris
No cardiac arrhythmia
Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
No history of sensitivity to E. coli-derived products
No history of severe depression
No active infection requiring antibiotics
No seizure disorder requiring antiepileptic medication
No medical condition likely to require systemic corticosteroids
No autoimmune disorder that could result in life-threatening complications
No other uncontrolled illness
No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
No more than 1 prior biologic response modifier regimen
At least 4 weeks since prior biologic response modifiers
No prior interferon alfa
No prior chemotherapy

At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy to non-index lesions

Prior radiotherapy to index lesion allowed provided irradiated lesion progressed ≥ 20% in diameter
At least 2 weeks since prior major surgery
No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients

No concurrent therapeutic anticoagulation therapy

Concurrent prophylactic anticoagulation, such as low-dose warfarin, for venous or arterial access device allowed provided PT, PTT, and INR are normal
No other concurrent investigational agents
No other concurrent anticancer therapy