Sorafenib and Interferon Alfa in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Kidney Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma * Locally advanced or metastatic disease * All histologic subtypes allowed * Measurable disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan * No known brain metastases or leptomeningeal disease * Performance status - ECOG 0-2 * WBC ≥ 3,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 * No bleeding diathesis * Bilirubin normal * AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN * Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min * No uncontrolled hypertension * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No history of sensitivity to E. coli-derived products * No history of severe depression * No active infection requiring antibiotics * No seizure disorder requiring antiepileptic medication * No medical condition likely to require systemic corticosteroids * No autoimmune disorder that could result in life-threatening complications * No other uncontrolled illness * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance * No more than 1 prior biologic response modifier regimen * At least 4 weeks since prior biologic response modifiers * No prior interferon alfa * No prior chemotherapy * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy to non-index lesions * Prior radiotherapy to index lesion allowed provided irradiated lesion progressed ≥ 20% in diameter * At least 2 weeks since prior major surgery * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients * No concurrent therapeutic anticoagulation therapy * Concurrent prophylactic anticoagulation, such as low-dose warfarin, for venous or arterial access device allowed provided PT, PTT, and INR are normal * No other concurrent investigational agents * No other concurrent anticancer therapy