PEG-Interferon Alfa-2b, Sargramostim, and Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma

  * Metastatic disease
* Measurable disease

  * Unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan or MRI

    * Histologic confirmation required if measurable disease is confined to a solitary lesion
  * The following are not considered measurable disease:

    * Bone disease only
    * Pleural or peritoneal metastases
    * CNS lesions
    * Irradiated lesions unless disease progression was documented after prior radiotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

* 18 and over

Performance status

* ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy

* Not specified

Hematopoietic

* Granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3

Hepatic

* Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL
* No decompensated liver disease

Renal

* Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL

Immunologic

* No known or suspected hypersensitivity to interferon alfa or to any excipient or vehicle included in the formulation or delivery system
* No history of autoimmune disease
* No autoimmune hepatitis
* No immunosuppressed transplantation recipients

Other

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use 2 effective methods of contraception 4 weeks before, during, and for 4 weeks after study participation
* No pre-existing thyroid abnormalities for which thyroid function cannot be maintained in the normal range
* No severe psychiatric condition or disorder, including suicidal ideation or attempt
* No other active malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

* No prior immunotherapy

Chemotherapy

* Not specified

Endocrine therapy

* Not specified

Radiotherapy

* See Disease Characteristics
* More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy

Surgery

* Not specified