Biological Therapy in Treating Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically documented metastatic adenocarcinoma of the breast Concurrent intraductal or lobular carcinoma in situ allowed Bilateral disease allowed Measurable or evaluable recurrent metastatic disease (Stage IIIB or IV) documented by radiograph, CT scan, nuclear medicine scan, or physical exam Tumor must be clinically chemosensitive as documented by a reduction in tumor burden No clinical evidence of brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 times normal Hepatitis B surface antigen negative Renal: Creatinine less than 1.8 mg/dL Creatinine clearance normal Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) less than 1.5 times normal Cardiovascular: Ejection fraction at least 45% by MUGA No uncontrolled or significant cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction (less than 1 year) or congestive heart failure Pulmonary: PFT-FEV1 at least 60% of predicted DLCO and FVC at least 60% of predicted Other: Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test HIV negative No serious medical or psychiatric illness No prior or concurrent malignancy, other than curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or basal cell skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent hormonal therapy for breast cancer