Vinorelbine and Bevacizumab in Treating Older Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Stage IIIB (any T, N3, M0 OR T4, any N, M0, OR pleural effusion) OR stage IV (any T, any N, M1) disease
Mixed tumors will be categorized by the predominant cell type unless small cell elements are present, in which case the patient is ineligible
Measurable or evaluable disease
No lung carcinoma of squamous cell histology or any histology in close proximity to a major vessel or cavitation
No known brain metastases, even if treated

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

No other malignancies within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
ECOG performance status 0-1
Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm³
Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³
Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL
Transaminases ≤ 5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN
Urine protein:creatinine ratio < 1
INR ≤ 1.5
PTT normal
No prior ileus or neuropathy compromising use of vinorelbine ditartate
Patients with a history of hypertension must be well controlled (blood pressure < 150/100 mm Hg) on a stable regimen of antihypertensive therapy

None of the following conditions:

Unstable angina
New York Heart Association grade II-IV congestive heart failure
Myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
Stroke within the past 6 months
Evidence of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy
Clinically significant peripheral vascular disease
Serious, nonhealing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture
History of hemoptysis (bright red blood ≥ ½ teaspoon)
No significant traumatic injury within the past 4 weeks
No abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, or intra-abdominal abscess within the past 6 months
Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

No prior chemotherapy for NSCLC
More than 4 weeks since prior and no concurrent participation in another experimental drug study
More than 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, or radiotherapy and recovered

More than 28 days since prior major surgical procedure or open biopsy

No anticipation of need for major surgery during course of trial
More than 7 days since prior minor surgical procedures (e.g., fine-needle aspiration or core biopsy)
No concurrent full-dose anticoagulation therapy for thromboembolic disease, aspirin (> 325 mg/day), or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs