Biological Therapy Plus Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation in Treating Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed advanced breast cancer not eligible for (or patient refuses participation in) a higher priority phase III SWOG study Local stage IIIB/IV disease, i.e.: Inflammatory Fixed to chest wall Fixed to axillary lymph nodes Recurrent disease Metastatic disease Disease stable or responsive to standard dose systemic chemotherapy Measurable or evaluable disease required except: Unevaluable stage IV disease (beyond draining lymph nodes) eligible following surgical resection, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy Less than 30% bone marrow involvement on aspiration and biopsy No active brain metastases CT or MRI required unless asymptomatic and no history of brain metastases No large symptomatic pleural effusion PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Under 65 Performance status: SWOG 0 or 1 Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL ALT/AST no greater than 2 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: Left ventricular ejection fraction at least 45% on MUGA No angina No history of myocardial infarction Exercise stress test without definite ischemia required for: History suggestive of coronary disease Diabetes mellitus Hypertension Age over 50 Pulmonary: FEV1 greater than 60% of predicted or greater than 2.0 liters DLCO greater than 60% of predicted Other: No prio…