ZD 1839 in Treating Patients With Stage IV or Recurrent Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IV or recurrent renal cell carcinoma not amenable to potentially curative surgery
Evidence of disease progression

Measurable disease

At least 20 mm with conventional techniques OR
At least 10 mm with spiral CT scan
No brain metastases
Malignant tissue available

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Performance status:

ECOG 0-2 OR
Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

More than 2 months

Hematopoietic:

WBC at least 3,000/mm^3
Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

Bilirubin normal
AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Cardiovascular:

No symptomatic congestive heart failure
No unstable angina pectoris
No cardiac arrhythmia

Other:

No prior allergy to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to ZD 1839
No ongoing or active infection
No other uncontrolled illness or psychiatric condition that would preclude study
Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

No more than 2 prior immunotherapy (interferon alfa or interleukin-2) regimens
At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered
No concurrent immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen
At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered
No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

Not specified

Radiotherapy:

At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

See Disease Characteristics

Other:

No prior therapy for metastatic disease
No other concurrent investigational agents
No concurrent oral retinoids