SGN-00101 in Preventing Anal Cancer in Patients With HIV Who Have Anal Neoplasia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed high-grade anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) with residual HSIL of the anal canal or margin by high-resolution anoscopy Declined routine surgery or not a candidate for surgical excision of HSIL Documented evidence of HIV infection by one of the following methods: Serologic (ELISA or western blot) Culture Quantitative polymerase chain reaction or bDNA assays HIV RNA no greater than 500 copies/mL CD4 at least 200 x 10^6/L Must have received stable highly active antiviral therapy (HAART) for at least 4 weeks before study HAART defined as 3 or more agents, including a protease inhibitor or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that is approved or available through expanded access combination antiviral therapy No prior history of invasive anal or cervical cancer No concurrent untreated cervical HSIL PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Life expectancy At least 12 months Hematopoietic Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Platelet count at least 75,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm^3 Hepatic AST and ALT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Immunologic No prior severe allergic reactions (i.e., anaphylactic response) to drugs or any other allergen No history of collagen-vascular or autoimmune disorder requiring treatment within the past 5 years No other concurrent illness that compromises the immune system No active serious opportunistic infection Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use 2 forms of effective contraception during and for 3 months after study No concurrent participation in a conception process (e.g., active attempt to become pregnant or impregnate, sperm donation, or in vitro fertilization) No other concurrent medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No concurrent immunostimulants (including interferon or interleukin-12) Chemotherapy More than 1 year since prior chemotherapy for cancer Endocrine therapy No concurrent steroids that compromise immune function Concurrent topical corticosteroids allowed if dose determined not to suppress immune function Radiotherapy More than 1 year since prior radiotherapy for cancer Other More than 30 days since other prior investigational agents No concurrent medications that suppress immune function