Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed low-grade neuroendocrine tumors

  * Carcinoid tumors
  * Islet cell tumors
* Metastatic disease
* Progression of disease within past 4 weeks by radiological evidence
* At least 1 bidimensionally measurable lesion by CT scan or MRI

  * Bone metastasis not considered measurable if only site of disease
* No active brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* Not specified

Performance status:

* Karnofsky 70-100%

Life expectancy:

* More than 3 months

Hematopoietic:

* WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3
* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin normal
* AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

Renal:

* Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN OR
* Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min

Other:

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use 2 forms of effective contraception for 4 weeks before, during, and for 4 weeks after study
* No grade 2 or greater neuropathy
* No other clinical circumstances that would preclude study
* No other prior malignancy except:
* Non-melanoma skin cancer
* Other cancer that has been curatively treated, has had no evidence of recurrence within the past 5 years, and is at low risk for recurrence

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* No prior thalidomide
* No concurrent interferon

Chemotherapy:

* No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

* Not specified

Radiotherapy:

* At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
* No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

* At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery

Other:

* No more than 1 prior systemic therapy regimen
* At least 4 weeks since prior systemic therapy regimen
* No other concurrent therapeutic agent