Decitabine and Valproic Acid in Treating Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer
• Tumor accessible to biopsy by bronchoscopy, through surface biopsy (e.g., skin punch biopsy for skin/subcutaneous metastasis) or through CT scan guidance
• Not eligible for curative surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or multimodality treatment options

• No uncontrolled brain metastases

  • Controlled brain metastases allowed provided patient has no neurologic deterioration when off steroids; has completed prior radiotherapy or other treatments; has fully recovered from prior treatment; and does not require anticonvulsants
• Performance status - ECOG 0-2
• Performance status - Karnofsky 60-100%
• More than 12 weeks
• Absolute neutrophil count > 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count > 100,000/mm\^3
• WBC > 3,000/mm\^3
• AST and ALT =\< 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Bilirubin =\< 1.5 times ULN
• Creatinine =\< 1.5 times ULN
• Creatinine clearance >= 60 mL/min
• 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 prior allergic reaction to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to decitabine, valproic acid, or other study agents
• No other concurrent uncontrolled illness
• No ongoing or active infection requiring antibiotics
• No history of seizures requiring anticonvulsants
• No medical problem that would preclude study participation
• No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
• No other active malignancy except non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No concurrent prophylactic growth factors (e.g., filgrastim [G-CSF] or epoetin alfa)
• No more than 3 prior chemotherapy regimens
• More than 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered

• Prior definitive radiotherapy to the chest allowed

  • Clinical (radiographic or other) evidence of tumor progression for previously irradiated indicator lesion in the chest
• More than 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent palliative radiotherapy
• Prior curative or palliative intent surgery allowed
• At least 2 weeks since prior surgery and recovered
• At least 4 weeks since prior photodynamic therapy
• No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients
• No other concurrent anticancer agents or therapies
• No other concurrent investigational agents

• No concurrent administration of any of the following medications:

  • Aspirin

    • Chronic low-dose (=\< 81 mg/day) aspirin allowed
  • Felbamate
  • Rifampin
  • Amitriptyline
  • Nortriptyline
  • Carbamazepine
  • Clonazepam
  • Diazepam
  • Ethosuximide
  • Lamotrigine
  • Phenobarbital
  • Barbiturates
  • Primidone
  • Phenytoin
  • Zidovudine
• No concurrent divalproex sodium
• Concurrent gabapentin for neuropathic pain allowed