Interleukin-2 With Sorafenib (BAY 43-9006) for Unresectable or Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma (RCC) and Metastatic Melanoma

• Determine Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) and toxicity of high dose (HD) [ Time Frame: each cycle ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  

• Determine the progression free survival. [ Time Frame: At Week 12 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Evaluate in a preliminary manner the response rate. [ Time Frame: At Week 12 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Evaluate the activation of aldesleukin induced transcription factors (T cell PSTAT 5 activity) within patients immune cell subsets. [ Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 29 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Measure circulating levels of VEGF, VEGFR, IFN-γ, IL-5, and CD4+, CD25+, FoxP3 cell number (T regs). [ Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 29 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

Drug: Aldesleukin
600,000 IU/kg every 8 hours on days 1-5 (week 1) to a maximum of 12 doses. Another cycle of HD aldesleukin will be started on day 15 (week 3).
Other Name: Proleukin
Drug: Sorafenib
To be initiated at a dose of 200 mg orally. Once it is determined that no further HD aldesleukin therapy will be given, sorafenib may be given daily at the FDA approved dose of 400 mg twice daily until there is lack of clinical benefit or intolerable side effects develop.
Other Name: Nexavar

Rationale: Previous research indicates that high dose aldesleukin produces tumor regression through upregulation of the patients' immune system. Research suggests that sorafenib directly targets tumors by inhibiting angiogenic activity with possibly some cytotoxicity. Angiogenic refers to the formation of new blood vessels that support tumor growth. Cytotoxicity is the measurement of a chemical's ability to damage or kill cancer cells. Researchers have hypothesized that the complementary ways aldesleukin and sorafenib work, and their non-overlapping toxicity profiles, may create a reasonable combination for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma. The current Phase I study will evaluate toxicity in patients through assessing various dose levels of sorafenib in combination with aldesleukin.

Purpose: The primary objective is to determine the maximum tolerated dose and characterize the toxicity of high dose aldesleukin and sorafenib in patients with unresectable or metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma and metastatic melanoma. Secondary objectives include determining progression free survival in patients, evaluating in a preliminary manner response rates, and assessing other measurements in study participants.

Treatment: Study participants will be given bolus high dose aldesleukin and sorafenib. Aldesleukin will be provided through intravenous infusions on days 1 through 5. Each 5 day treatment is considered a cycle. The second cycle of aldesleukin will start on day 15. Two cycles are considered 1 course. All study participants will be given the same dose level of aldesleukin. No dose reductions will be permitted. Sorafenib will then be administered on day 29. Since this study will assess the maximum tolerated dose of sorafenib, some study participants will receive different amounts of this drug compared to others depending upon when each individual enrolls in the study. Each group of 3 to 6 study participants will receive a higher dose of sorafenib until the maximum tolerated dose is established. Imagining studies will be performed to determine response to treatment during week 12. If the patient has stable or responding disease, a second course will be administered on the same schedule. Patients without disease response will be given one additional course of aldesleukin past maximal response. When it is decided that no further aldesleukin will be provided to patients, sorafenib at the Food and Drug Administration approved dose may be continued until there is a lack of clinical benefit or intolerable side effects develop. Several tests and exams will be given throughout the study to closely monitor patients.