Intrapleural BG00001 in Treating Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma or Malignant Pleural Effusions

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * One of the following histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnoses: * Malignant pleural mesothelioma * Metastatic malignancy to the pleural space * Originating from 1 of the following sites: * Lung * Breast * Gastrointestinal organs * Genitourinary organs * Malignant melanoma * Failed prior standard therapy comprising chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or hormonal therapy * Measurable or evaluable disease * Pleural space involved with tumor accessible for pleural catheter insertion * No malignant pleural effusions secondary to lymphoma or sarcoma * No rapidly re-accumulating, symptomatic pleural effusions after thoracentesis or pleural catheter insertion that require immediate mechanical or chemical pleurodesis * No known brain metastases * Previously treated brain metastases with no evidence of active growth are allowed * Hormone receptor status: * Not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Sex * Male or female Menopausal status * Not specified Performance status * ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Granulocyte count at least 2,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Hematocrit at least 30% (transfusion allowed) Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * ALT and AST no greater than 1.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 1.5 times ULN * PT and PTT no greater than 1.5 times normal * No en…