Sequential ATRA Then IL-2 for Modulation of Dendritic Cells and Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed renal cell cancer Stage IV disease Histology with clear cell component Metastatic OR incompletely resected disease Non-measurable disease allowed Underwent complete or partial nephrectomy more than 90 days ago No unresected primary cancer No more than 2 of the following adverse factors: Hemoglobin < 10.0 g/dL Corrected calcium > upper limit of normal (ULN) Lactic dehydrogenase > 1.5 times ULN Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 2 Brain metastasis allowed provided more than 90 days of clinical and radiologic stability after the end of its active treatment PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age Over 18 Performance status See Disease Characteristics ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic See Disease Characteristics Hepatic See Disease Characteristics Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) < 3 times normal Bilirubin < 2 times normal Renal See Disease Characteristics Creatinine clearance > 40 mL/min Cardiovascular None of the following cardiovascular conditions within the past year: Uncontrolled hypertension Myocardial infarction Unstable angina New York Heart Association class II-IV congestive heart failure Serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication Class II-IV peripheral vascular disease within the past year Other clinically significant cardiovascular disease Immunologic No history of immunodeficiency disease No HIV infection No ongoing serious infection Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use two methods of effective contraception during and for 1 month (for women) or 6 months (for men) after study treatment Other prior malignancy allowed provided there is no evidence of active disease No other medical contraindication to tretinoin or interleukin-2 No serious non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy At least 60 days since prior immunotherapy Chemotherapy At least 60 days since prior cytotoxic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy See Radiotherapy No prior corticosteroids at > physiologic replacement doses for > 3 days within the past 90 days Concurrent tamoxifen, toremifene, megestrol, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists allowed Concurrent inhaled steroids allowed Radiotherapy More than 7 days since prior external-beam radiotherapy No steroid requirement during radiotherapy Surgery See Disease Characteristics At least 30 days since other prior debulking surgery Other Prior adjuvant therapy for resected, synchronous stage IV disease allowed Prior adjuvant therapy allowed Study therapy is not to be used as adjuvant therapy for completely resected late (> 1 year until identification) solitary site of disease metastasis or non-metastatic disease No prior participation in this clinical study At least 60 days since other prior anticancer drugs Concurrent seizure medication allowed