Gene Therapy and Biological Therapy in Treating Patients With Ovarian Epithelial Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven recurrent, resected recurrent, or residual ovarian epithelial cancer Failed prior standard effective therapy including cisplatin/carboplatin or paclitaxel Tumor positive for folate-binding protein by monoclonal antibody MOv18 binding Measurable disease by CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, or physical exam OR Minimal residual disease on laparotomy, laparoscopy, or peritoneal washings (i.e., disease not evaluable radiologically or on physical exam) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0 or 1 Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 3,000/mm^3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin greater than 9.0 g/dL No coagulation disorder Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Other liver function tests less than 3 times upper limit of normal Hepatitis B antigen negative Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No major cardiovascular illness If history of ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, or cardiac arrhythmias, not eligible to receive interleukin-2 Pulmonary: FEV_1 and DLCO greater than 70% predicted No major respiratory illness Immunologic: Must have an intact immune system as evidenced by a positive reaction to Candida albicans, mumps, or tetanus toxoid skin tests on a standard anergy panel HIV negative No active systemic infection Other: Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: More than 2 weeks since prior biologic therapy Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics More than 2 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: More than 2 weeks since prior endocrine therapy No concurrent steroids Radiotherapy: More than 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Prior debulking allowed