Carboplatin, Paclitaxel, and Radiation Therapy With or Without Thalidomide in Patients With Stage III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

Histologically confirmed newly diagnosed non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma

Squamous cell
Adenocarcinoma
Large cell undifferentiated
Bronchoalveolar
Non-small cell carcinoma not otherwise stated

Unresectable stage IIIA

Mediastinal lymph node enlargement of at least 1 cm but less than 2 cm on computed tomography (CT) scans must have mediastinotomy or thoracoscopy to rule out resectability

OR

Stage IIIB disease without significant pleural effusion

Seen on CT scan only (not seen on chest x-ray) or does not reaccumulate after 1 thoracentesis and is cytologically negative
Metastases to contralateral, mediastinal, or supraclavicular nodes allowed
Bidimensionally measurable or evaluable disease
18 and over
ECOG performance status 0-1

Adequate hematopoietic, hepatic, and renal function obtained <=4 weeks prior to registration:

Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
White Blood Cell (WBC) count at least 4,000/mm^3 OR absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm^3
Bilirubin normal
Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal
Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
Fertile patients must use 2 methods of effective contraception for 4 weeks prior to, during, and for 4 weeks after study therapy
Concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) allowed for persistent neutropenia

Exclusion Criteria:

Positive pregnancy test,pregnant or nursing
Uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable angina, congestive heart failure, or myocardial infarction within the prior year
Serious cardiac arrhythmias requiring medication
Prior radiotherapy to only area of measurable or active tumor
Less than 5 years since prior chemotherapy
Other active malignancies
Serious uncontrolled active infection
Evidence of greater than grade 1 neuropathy by history or physical examination
History of seizure disorders
Contraindication to daily low-dose (81 mg/day) aspirin