Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Stage IV Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed recurrent or stage IV bronchoalveolar cell lung cancer unlikely to have a curative response to existing standard regimens

Measurable disease by MRI or CT scan

At least 2 cm in diameter

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Performance status:

Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

WBC at least 2,000/mm^3
Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
SGOT/SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal
No hepatic failure

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
No renal insufficiency
No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Cardiovascular:

No severe heart disease
No uncontrolled hypertension
No history of congestive heart failure
No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Pulmonary:

No severe lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Other:

Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation
No serious active infections
No other concurrent serious disease

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered
No concurrent immunomodulating agents

Chemotherapy:

At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered
No concurrent antineoplastic agents

Endocrine therapy:

Concurrent corticosteroids allowed

Radiotherapy:

At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

Recovered from prior surgery

Other:

No prior antineoplaston therapy
Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed