17-N-Allylamino-17-Demethoxygeldanamycin in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma Papillary OR clear cell histology If other histologies are present, clear cell or papillary must be predominant Metastatic disease Measurable disease At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan No brain metastases unless previously treated with radiotherapy or surgery AND asymptomatic with no active brain metastases detectable by CT scan or MRI for ≥ 6 months PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic WBC ≥ 3,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic AST and ALT ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN Renal Creatinine ≤ 2.0 times ULN Cardiovascular No symptomatic congestive heart failure No unstable angina pectoris No cardiac arrhythmia No severe valvular disease Pulmonary No severe debilitating pulmonary disease Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No allergy to egg or egg products No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) No active or ongoing infection requiring IV antibiotics No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance No other uncontrolled illness PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No more than 1 prior cytokine-based regimen No concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery More than 4 weeks since prior major surgery Other Recovered from prior therapy No more than 1 prior non-cytokine-based regimen No other prior systemic treatment regimens No other concurrent cytotoxic therapy No other concurrent anticancer therapy No other concurrent investigational agents