Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced or metastatic
renal cell carcinoma Bidimensionally measurable lesions that have not been irradiated
Minimum indicator lesion size: Liver, soft tissue, or other masses - one diameter at least
20 mm (evaluable only radiographically) Lung - one diameter at least 10 mm by x-ray or CT
scan Skin lesions and lymph nodes - one diameter at least 10 mm by clinical measurement No
clinical or radiologic evidence of CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 80-100% Life
expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3000/mm3 Neutrophil count at least
1500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL (red cell
transfusions allowed) Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of
normal (ULN) (except for patients with Gilbert's syndrome) ALT and/or AST no greater than
2.5 times ULN (no greater than 4 times ULN with liver metastases) Alkaline phosphatase no
greater than 2.5 times ULN (no greater than 4 times ULN with liver metastases) Renal:
Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No history of severe cardiac
disease: New York Heart Association class II (if not due to cancer), III, or IV Myocardial
infarction within the past 6 months Ventricular tachyarrhythmias requiring ongoing
treatment Unstable angina Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use
effective contraception No other prior or concurrent malignancy except basal cell
carcinoma of the skin, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any other malignancy from which
the patient has been disease free for at least 2 years No history of medically significant
psychiatric disease, especially depression No history or evidence of retinopathy No
seizure disorders

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior or concurrent immunotherapy, biologic
response modifiers, cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, antitumor vaccines, or any other
systemic therapy Chemotherapy: No prior or concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No
prior or concurrent hormone therapy Hormone replacement after adrenalectomy is allowed
Radiotherapy: Prior radiotherapy allowed No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Prior
nephrectomy allowed Other: No other concurrent investigational drugs No concurrent
anticonvulsant therapy