DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cavity cancer

  • Stage II-IV disease

• Tumor expresses 1 of the following antigens:

  • NY-ESO-1 by RT-PCR or IHC
  • LAGE-1 by RT-PCR
• Previously treated with initial surgery AND ≥ 1 platinum-based chemotherapy regimen

• Must have demonstrated complete response to prior front-line therapy as evidenced by negative clinical examination, no objective evidence of disease progression by CT scan, and serum CA-125 ≤ 35 IU/mL

  • If second-look surgery was performed, patient may have either a negative or microscopic positive second-look surgery (laparoscopy or laparotomy)

• Recurrent disease allowed provided patient completed surgery and/or chemotherapy for recurrent disease

  • Patient may have asymptomatic residual measurable disease by physical examination and/or CT scan and/or elevated CA-125 or may be in complete clinical remission
• No CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Karnofsky performance status ≥ 70%
• Life expectancy ≥ 6 months
• ANC ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• WBC ≥ 5,000/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL
• Serum creatinine ≤ 2 mg/dL
• Serum bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL
• No history of autoimmune disease (e.g., thyroiditis or lupus), except vitiligo
• No known immunodeficiency or HIV positivity
• No known allergy or history of life threatening reaction to sargramostim (GM-CSF)
• No known history of allergies to eggs, neomycin, or bovine products
• No history of severe allergic reactions to vaccines or unknown allergens

• None of the following cardiovascular conditions:

  • Myocardial infarction
  • Angina
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Stroke or transient ischemic attack
  • Chest pain or shortness of breath with activity
  • Other heart conditions being treated by a doctor
• No other serious illness (e.g., serious infections requiring antibiotics or bleeding disorders)
• No other malignancy within the past 3 years, except previously treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No mental impairment that may compromise the ability to give informed consent and comply with study requirements

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from prior surgery

• More than 4 weeks since prior and no concurrent chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas), radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or other anticancer therapy

  • Concurrent hormonal or hormonal-related anticancer therapy allowed
• More than 4 weeks since prior participation in another clinical trial involving an investigational agent
• No prior NY-ESO-1 vaccine therapy

• No concurrent systemic corticosteroids, antihistamines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or other immunosuppressants

  • Concurrent low-dose aspirin (≤ 100 mg/day) or specific COX-2 inhibitors allowed