Genetically Modified T-Cells Followed by Aldesleukin in Treating Patients With Stage III-IV Melanoma

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: Primary for Cohort A: I. To assess the feasibility and safety of autologous transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) resistant (DNRII transduced) and NGFR transduced tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in patients with metastatic melanoma. Primary for Cohort B: I. To assess the feasibility and safety of autologous TGBβ resistant (DNRII transduced) TIL in patients with metastatic melanoma. Feasibility will be defined as the production of virally transduced T cells and treatment of patients with these cells SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: Secondary for Cohort A: I. To determine the survival and immune function of TGFb resistant (DNRII transduced) TIL in vivo. II. To assess the anti-tumor effects of TGFb resistant (DNRII transduced) TIL. Secondary for Cohort B: I. To determine the survival and immune function of TGFβ resistant (DNRII transduced) TIL in vivo II. To assess the anti-tumor effects of TGFβ resistant (DNRII transduced) TIL. OUTLINE: Patients receive cyclophosphamide intravenously (IV) over 2 hours on days -7 and -6, fludarabine phosphate IV daily over 15-30 minutes on days -5 to -1, and TGFb DNRII-transduced autologous TIL and NGFR-transduced autologous T lymphocytes IV over up to 4 hours on day 0. Patients then receive high-dose aldesleukin IV over 15 minutes every 8-16 hours on days 1-5 (up to 15 doses) and 22-26 (up to 15 doses). After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 6 and 12 weeks, every 3 months for 1 year and then yearly for 10 years.