Bortezomib in Treating Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer

Mixed tumors allowed unless small cell elements are present
Stage IIIB or IV or recurrent disease
At least 1 measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan
No known brain metastases
Performance status - ECOG 0-1
More than 3 months
Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
Bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL
AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (5 times ULN if liver involvement present)
Creatinine ≤ 2 mg/dL
Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
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 peripheral neuropathy > grade 1
No other concurrent uncontrolled illness
No ongoing or active infection
No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study participation

No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen

Two prior chemotherapy regimens allowed provided 1 of the 2 regimens was gefitinib monotherapy as second-line therapy
At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for carmustine, mitomycin, or nitrosoureas) and recovered
At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy (except localized radiotherapy for symptom relief) and recovered
Prior bortezomib allowed provided patient achieved at least a partial response (of at least 6 months duration), received no other therapy since the last dose of bortezomib, and has no residual toxicity greater than grade 1
No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies for malignancy