BMS-275291 in Treating Patients With HIV-Related Kaposi's Sarcoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) with serologically documented HIV infection No symptomatic visceral KS requiring cytotoxic therapy unless refractory to or intolerant of all currently approved agents for visceral KS At least 5 measurable lesions No prior local therapy to any indicator lesion unless clear progression has taken place since treatment PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 16 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 750/mm3 Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.0 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 3.5 mg/dL if secondary to indinavir therapy provided direct bilirubin normal) AST and ALT no greater than 3 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN OR Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min Other: No acute, active opportunistic infection within the past 14 days except oral thrush or genital herpes No other serious medical illness within the past 14 days No other malignancy requiring cytotoxic therapy Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 3 weeks since prior biologic therapy for KS and recovered Chemotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for KS and recovered No concurrent systemic chemotherapy for KS Endocrine therapy: No concurrent corticosteroids except replacement doses Radiotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for KS and recovered Other: All antiretroviral therapy must be at a stable dose for at least the past 4 weeks and during treatment At least 3 weeks since prior local therapy for KS and recovered At least 3 weeks since prior investigational therapy for KS and recovered At least 14 days since prior acute treatment of infections other than thrush and genital herpes Recovered from toxic effects of any other prior KS treatment No other concurrent investigational drugs except investigational new drug (IND)-available antiretroviral agents No other concurrent KS-specific treatment