Riluzole in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Melanoma That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed malignant melanoma

Unresectable stage III or stage IV disease
Measurable disease according to RECIST criteria, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion > 20 mm by conventional techniques or > 10 mm by spiral CT scan
No known brain metastases unless treated and stable for ≥ 2 weeks by MRI evaluation

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

ECOG performance status 0-2
ANC ≥ 1,000/μL
Platelet count ≥ 50,000/μL
Total bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
AST/ALT ≤ 3 times ULN
INR ≤ 1.5 times ULN
Not pregnant
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 2 weeks after completion of study treatment
No second primary malignancy, except carcinoma in situ of the cervix, adequately treated nonmelanoma carcinoma of the skin, or other malignancy treated ≥ 5 years ago with no evidence of recurrence
No concurrent serious systemic disorders (including active infections) that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the safety of the patient or compromise the patient's ability to complete the study
No history of allergic reactions attributed to riluzole
No known history of hepatitis B or C

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

No more than 1 prior therapeutic chemotherapy regimen for advanced melanoma
Prior treatment with riluzole on clinical trial CINJ-090603 allowed
No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies for the treatment of the malignancy