Bortezomib in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Previously Treated With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed extensive stage small cell lung cancer

Diagnosis by sputum cytology allowed provided it is confirmed by an independent pathologic review
Clinical evidence of recurrent or refractory disease does not require a confirmatory biopsy

Measurable disease by plain radiographs, CT scan, or MRI

Prior radiotherapy to measurable disease allowed provided there is evidence of disease progression by CT scan OR there is measurable disease outside of the radiotherapy field

Must have received a prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen and meet criteria for 1 of the following:

Platinum-sensitive disease, defined as an initial response with subsequent progression more than 90 days after last platinum treatment (temporarily closed to accrual as of 8/1/04)
Platinum-refractory disease, defined as no response to or progression during platinum treatment or subsequent progression no more than 90 days after last platinum treatment (temporarily closed to accrual as of 6/1/04)

Brain and/or leptomeningeal metastases are allowed provided all of the following are true:

Asymptomatic on neurological exam
No concurrent corticosteroids for symptom control
No concurrent enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin or phenobarbital)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

18 and over

Performance status

Zubrod 0-1

Life expectancy

Not specified

Hematopoietic

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

Hepatic

Not specified

Renal

Creatinine no greater than upper limit of normal OR
Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Other

Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
No symptomatic sensory neuropathy greater than grade 1
No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any other adequately treated stage I or II cancer currently in complete remission

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

Not specified

Chemotherapy

See Disease Characteristics
At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

See Disease Characteristics

Radiotherapy

See Disease Characteristics
At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy
No concurrent radiotherapy to measurable lesions

Surgery

At least 14 days since prior thoracic or other major surgery and recovered

Must have disease outside of the prior surgical resection area OR new lesion must be present