Immunotoxin Therapy in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed advanced malignancy of 1 of the following types: Ovarian cancer All nonmucinous epithelial histologies are eligible Primary peritoneal cavity cancer Fallopian tube cancer Malignant mesothelioma No sarcomatous histology Pancreatic cancer Squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the lung SCC of the cervix SCC of the head and neck Recurrent unresectable disease, meeting 1 of the following criteria: Previously treated with definitive standard therapy Patient refused prior standard therapy Initial or recurrent tumor positive (at least 30% of tumor cells) for mesothelin by immunohistochemistry* NOTE: *Immunohistochemical evaluation not required for patients with pancreatic cancer Measurable or evaluable disease No clinically significant pericardial effusion No known CNS or spinal cord involvement by tumor PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 75,000/mm^3 Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) AST and ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Albumin at least 3.0 g/dL Hepatitis B and C negative Seropositive allowed if clinically asymptomatic except if clinically asymptomatic and bilirubin and AST and ALT meet the outlined criteria Renal Creatinine no greater than ULN Calcium no greater than ULN Cardiovascular No New York Heart Association class II-IV cardiovascular disease Pulmonary Oxygen saturation at least 93% on room air DLCO at least 50% of predicted* Total lung capacity and vital capacity at least 50% of predicted* FEV_1 at least 50% of predicted* NOTE: *For patients with pleural mesothelioma and as clinically indicated Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No infection requiring parenteral antibiotics No HIV infection Serum neutralizing activity to SS1(dsFv)-PE38 immunotoxin (at 200 ng/mL) no greater than 75% PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy Not specified Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy Not specified Surgery Not specified Other At least 4 weeks since prior therapy and recovered No other concurrent antitumor therapy