Inhaled Sargramostim in Treating Patients With Melanoma Metastatic to the Lung

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed metastatic melanoma to the lung for which no known standard therapy exists
At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion
HLA-A2 positive (part A patients only)
Previously treated CNS metastases allowed provided there is no evidence of disease progression within the past 3 months

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Performance status:

ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

At least 12 weeks

Hematopoietic:

Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm^3
Platelet count at least 75,000/mm^3
Hemoglobin at least 8.0 g/dL

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
AST no greater than 3 times ULN

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Cardiovascular:

No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease

Pulmonary:

No pulmonary disease requiring concurrent active therapy (e.g., supplemental oxygen or bronchodilator)
FEV_1 at least 65% of predicted and at least 1.5 L

Immunologic:

No known immunodeficiency state
No known autoimmune disease
No uncontrolled infection

Other:

No active psychotic disorder requiring pharmacotherapy
Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

More than 2 weeks since prior biologic therapy
More than 2 weeks since prior immunotherapy
More than 4 weeks since prior filgrastim (G-CSF) or sargramostim (GM-CSF)
No other concurrent biologic therapy or immunotherapy
No concurrent G-CSF
No concurrent GM-CSF other than study drug

Chemotherapy:

More than 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin)
No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

More than 2 weeks since prior corticosteroids
No concurrent glucocorticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

More than 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy
No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

Not specified

Other:

More than 7 days since prior parenteral antibiotics
No concurrent parenteral antibiotics
No concurrent immunosuppressive agents