S9427, Suramin in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Adrenocortical Cancer Incurable by Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adrenocortical carcinoma in Stage III or IV and incurable by surgery Bidimensionally measurable disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: SWOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: WBC at least 4,000/mm3 Absolute granulocyte count at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 150,000/mm3 Prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) Hepatic: SGOT and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN Renal: Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Serum creatinine no greater than ULN Other: No second malignancy within 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin,in situ carcinoma of the cervix, or other cancer for which patient has been disease free for 5 years Not pregnant or nursing Effective contraception required of fertile patients PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent biologic therapy At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy (one regimen only) Chemotherapy: No concurrent chemotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior mitotane No other prior chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy: At least 6 weeks since prior hormonal therapy No concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiation therapy (to less than 25% of bone marrow) No concurrent radiation therapy Surgery: Prior surgery allowed in relapsed patients with no other prior treatment