Vaccine Therapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Melanoma

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven metastatic melanoma Measurable disease HLA-A2 01 phenotype No active CNS or hepatic metastases
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 to 80 Performance status: Karnofsky 80-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Normal CD4 and CD8 T cell numbers by flow cytometry Lactic dehydrogenase less than 2 times normal Hepatic: No viral hepatitis Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: No prior venous thrombosis, angina pectoris, or congestive heart failure Pulmonary: No prior asthma Immunologic: Positive intradermal skin test for mumps, histoplasmosis, or streptokinase antigen Immunoglobulin levels normal No prior autoimmune disease (lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or thyroiditis) No allergy to tetanus toxoid or influenza vaccine No sensitivity to E. coli drug preparations Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception HIV negative No active infection
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior interferon At least 8 weeks since prior interleukin-2 Chemotherapy: No more than 3 prior courses of cytotoxic chemotherapy At least 8 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent corticosteroids Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concurrent immunosuppressive agents