SarCNU in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed colorectal cancer
• * Locally recurrent or metastatic disease
• * Previously treated with 1 chemotherapy regimen for recurrent or metastatic disease
• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion
• * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
• * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• * No prior radiotherapy to indicator lesion (clear disease progression or new lesion within a prior radiation port is acceptable)
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• ECOG 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 120,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin normal
• AST and ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal
• Renal:
• Creatinine normal OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• Cardiovascular:
• No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• No unstable angina pectoris
• No cardiac arrhythmia
• Pulmonary:
• DLCO at least 80% predicted
• FVC at least 80% predicted
• No history of significant pulmonary disease
• No concurrent symptomatic pulmonary disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, chronic asthma)
• Other:
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No other serious illness or medical condition that would preclude study
• No ongoing or active uncontrolled infection
• No history of significant neurologic or psychiatric disorder that would preclude study
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy
• No concurrent immunotherapy
• Chemotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• Prior adjuvant chemotherapy allowed
• No prior nitrosoureas
• No prior second-line chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic disease
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• No concurrent corticosteroids
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• Prior radiotherapy as part of primary therapy allowed
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• Prior surgery as part of primary therapy allowed
• Prior reoperation for recurrent disease allowed
• At least 2 weeks since prior surgery other than biopsy
• Other:
• At least 4 weeks since prior investigational agent
• No other concurrent investigational agents or therapy
• No other concurrent anticancer therapy