Epirubicin and Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Liver Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma Locally unresectable or metastatic disease Measurable disease No clinically apparent CNS metastases No carcinomatous meningitis PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age Over 18 Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 75,000/mm^3 Hepatic SGOT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin no greater than 3.0 mg/dL INR no greater than 1.5* Albumin at least 2.0 g/dL NOTE: *Not required for patients receiving full anticoagulation with warfarin for deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism Renal Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months LVEF normal by echocardiogram or MUGA Other Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception Willing and able to participate in the System for Thalidomide Education and Prescribing Safety (STEPS) program No uncontrolled serious medical or psychiatric illness No other concurrent uncontrolled malignancy PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for hepatocellular carcinoma No prior chemoembolization to the liver Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy Not specified Surgery More than 2 weeks since prior major surgery