Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Plus BCG in Treating Patients With Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed limited stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

  • Completed first line combination treatment consisting of at least a 2 drug chemotherapy regimen (4 to 6 courses) and a chest radiotherapy regimen

    • Must have achieved clinical response (complete or partial) with no evidence of progression or relapse

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• WBC greater than 3,000/mm^3
• Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• AST less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal
• No hepatitis B

Renal:

• Not specified

Other:

• No history of tuberculosis
• Purified Protein Derivative negative to at least 5 IU
• HIV negative
• No severe active infection
• No active infections requiring systemic antibiotics, antiviral, or antifungal treatments
• No serious unstable chronic illness
• No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or nonmelanomatous skin cancer
• No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy
• No prior therapy with mouse proteins
• No other concurrent immunotherapy before first disease progression

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No concurrent chemotherapy before first disease progression

Endocrine therapy:

• No concurrent systemic or chronic corticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior radiation to spleen
• No concurrent radiotherapy before first disease progression

Surgery:

• No prior surgery for SCLC
• No prior splenectomy

Other:

• At least 4 weeks since prior combination therapy
• No prior second line therapy for SCLC
• At least 4 weeks since other prior investigational agent
• No concurrent systemic antihistamines or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
• No concurrent immunosuppressant therapy before first disease progression