Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage IV Melanoma

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed melanoma
• * Stage IV disease (M1a and M1b only)
• Measurable disease according to RECIST criteria
• HLA-A2 positive
• Must have IgA in serum (any concentration)
• No known standard therapy for this disease that is potentially curative or proven capable of extending life expectancy
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• ECOG performance status 0-2
• Hemoglobin ≥ 10.0 g/dL
• Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm\^3
• AST ≤ 5 times upper limit of normal
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• Able to provide informed consent
• Agrees to return to Mayo Clinic Rochester for follow-up
• Agrees to participate in the mandatory translational research component of the study
• No uncontrolled or current infection
• No known immune deficiency
• No B or AB blood grouping
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered
• More than 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy
• No concurrent immunosuppressive therapy