ONCONASE Plus Doxorubicin Versus Doxorubicin For Patients With Malignant Pleural or Peritoneal Mesothelioma Who Have Had No More Than One Prior Chemotherapy Regimen

Study start date: May 1, 1997

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed malignant pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma Measurable or evaluable disease CALGB groups 1-4 No CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 21 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 3,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: SGOT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin no greater than 2 mg/dL PT and PTT normal Renal: Creatinine normal Cardiovascular: No symptomatic New York Heart Association class II-IV cardiovascular disease No congestive heart failure No angina pectoris No cardiac arrhythmias No uncontrolled hypertension No cerebrovascular disease Metabolic: No serum calcium, phosphate, electrolyte, or other metabolic abnormalities, such as metabolic acidosis Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No serious infection No uncontrolled psychosis or neurologic disease (e.g., seizure disorders) No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus No other primary malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer No senility or emotional instability PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No more than one prior systemic chemotherapy regimen No prior doxorubicin At least 6 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Prior radiotherapy for progressive or recurrent disease allowed except myocardium radiotherapy Surgery: Prior surgical resection allowed