Oblimersen in Treating Patients With Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed Merkel cell carcinoma

  * Metastatic OR regionally recurrent disease
  * Localized disease not amenable to curative therapy (surgery or radiotherapy) also allowed
* Measurable disease

  * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
* No known brain metastases

  * Previously resected or irradiated brain metastases allowed if stable for at least the past 3 months and no evidence of neurological compromise exists
* Performance status - Karnofsky 60-100%
* Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count \>= 100,000/mm\^3
* WBC \>= 3,000/mm\^3
* AST/ALT =\< 2.5 times upper limit of normal
* Bilirubin normal
* INR =\< 1.5
* Creatinine normal
* Creatinine clearance \>= 60 mL/min
* No atrial fibrillation unless stable for at least the past 6 months
* No symptomatic congestive heart failure
* No unstable angina pectoris
* No cardiac arrhythmia
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* Adequate venous access
* No peripheral neuropathy \> grade 1
* No active or ongoing infection
* No other concurrent uncontrolled illness
* No prior grade 3 or 4 anaphylactic reaction to phosphorothioate oligonucleotide
* No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
* More than 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered
* More than 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
* No prior radiotherapy to 25% or more of bone marrow
* More than 3 weeks since prior investigational therapy and recovered
* No prior oblimersen
* No other concurrent investigational agents
* No concurrent anticoagulation except 1 mg of warfarin for mediport patency
* No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients