Paclitaxel + Carboplatin With/ut BMS-275291 in Advanced or Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Local or metastatic failure after surgery and/or radiotherapy allowed

Phase II only:

At least one measurable lesion

At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR 10 mm by spiral CT scan
No known CNS metastases unless asymptomatic and at least 4 weeks since prior corticosteroid therapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Performance status:

ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

At least 12 weeks

Hematopoietic:

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

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
ALT no greater than 2 times ULN (5 times ULN for liver metastases)

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Cardiovascular:

No significant cardiac disease
No uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable angina, congestive heart failure, second or third degree atrioventricular conduction defects, or ventricular arrhythmias requiring medication
No myocardial infarction within the past year

Other:

Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
No prior allergic reaction to drugs containing Cremophor EL
No serious active infection or other underlying medical condition that would preclude study participation
No peripheral neuropathy
No condition (e.g., psychological, geographical) that would preclude study participation
No prior breast cancer or melanoma
No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except carcinoma in situ, basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, or other cancer that has been curatively treated surgically

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

No prior immunotherapy
No prior biological response modifiers
No other concurrent biologic therapy or immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

No prior antineoplastic chemotherapy, including intrapleural chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

See Disease Characteristics

Radiotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
No prior radiotherapy to study lesion (unless evidence of disease progression) or to 30% or greater of marrow bearing bones
At least 1 week since prior radiotherapy and recovered
No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 2 weeks since prior major surgery
No concurrent surgery

Other:

At least 2 weeks since prior investigational drugs
No other concurrent cytotoxic anticancer therapy
No other investigational drugs during and for 30 days after study