Tumor tissue is collected at baseline in all patients. Blood samples are collected at baseline, at the beginning of courses 2 and 3, and after completion of study treatment. Samples are examined for topoisomerase-1 levels by western blotting; BCL-2, BCL-xL, BAX, and p27 by immunohistochemistry; hypoxia-inducible factor-1, plasminogen-activator inhibitor 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and osteopontin by immunoenzyme techniques; and NF-kB and p27 nuclear expression by flow cytometry.