PTC299 in Treating Patients With HIV-Related Kaposi Sarcoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Biopsy-proven Kaposi sarcoma (KS) involving the skin (with or without lymph node), oral cavity, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and/or lung * Patients with GI and/or pulmonary involvement must be asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic and not require systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy * Has at least five bidimensionally measurable cutaneous lesions that have not been previously irradiated AND can be used as indicator lesions * Must have a sufficient number of non-indicator cutaneous lesions measuring ≥ 4 x 4 mm available to obtain a total of four 3-mm punch biopsies (two at baseline and two during the course of study treatment) * Serologic documentation of HIV infection, as evidenced by positive ELISA, western blot, or other federally approved licensed HIV test OR a detectable blood level of HIV RNA * Patients receiving antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection are eligible provided they have been on a stable regimen for ≥ 12 weeks prior to study entry AND there is no evidence of improvement in KS during those 12 weeks or there is evidence of progression of KS within the immediate 4 weeks prior to study entry * No symptomatic visceral KS requiring cytotoxic therapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Karnofsky performance status 60-100% * Life expectancy ≥ 3 months * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,000/mm³ * Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm³ * Hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL * Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL * Total bilirubin normal (grade 0) * No specific limit of total serum bilir…