PS-341 in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma Metastatic disease Unidimensionally measurable disease No brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: More than 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL ALT/AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other: No pre-existing neuropathy of grade 1 or greater No other malignancy within the past 5 years, except completely resected basal cell skin cancer, unless treated with potentially curative therapy or at low risk for recurrence Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 months after study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy and recovered No concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy: No prior cytotoxic therapy No concurrent cytotoxic therapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery Other: No other concurrent anticancer therapy