MK-0646, Etoposide, and Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

  * Extensive stage disease that is incurable but amenable to treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
  * Small cell and variant histologies allowed
  * No mixed tumors (i.e., small and large cell) or other neuroendocrine tumors of the lung
* Clinically and/or radiologically documented measurable disease, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable site of disease ≥ 20 mm by chest x-ray, ≥ 15 mm by CT scan (lymph nodes), or ≥ 10 mm by CT scan or physical exam
* No uncontrolled or symptomatic CNS metastases

  * Patients who have completed radiotherapy or have undergone complete resection of CNS metastases are allowed provided they are on stable (non-increasing) or decreasing doses of corticosteroids

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks
* ECOG performance status 0-2
* Absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm³
* Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³
* Total bilirubin ≤ upper limit of normal (ULN)
* AST and ALT ≤ 3 times ULN (≤ 5 times ULN if documented liver metastases)
* Serum creatinine ≤ ULN OR creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min
* Not pregnant or lactating
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 3 months after completion of study therapy
* No other active cancer
* No untreated and/or uncontrolled cardiovascular or other comorbid conditions

  * Patients with a significant cardiac history, even if controlled, should have a LVEF \> 50%
* No uncontrolled diabetes
* Must be accessible for treatment and follow-up

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* See Disease Characteristics
* No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy or other IGF-1R targeting agents for SCLC
* At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy to neurological sites
* No prior radiotherapy to the lungs
* Prior surgery allowed provided that wound healing has occurred

  * At least 14 days since prior major surgery
* No other concurrent investigational agents or therapy
* No other concurrent anticancer treatment
* No concurrent radiotherapy