Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

- Tumor expression of NY-ESO-1 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction
(RT-PCR) or immunohistochemistry OR LAGE-1 by RT-PCR

- Prior cystectomy within the past 4-16 weeks

- No evidence of disease by radiological imaging within the past month

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

- 18 and over

Performance status

- ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy

- At least 3 months

Hematopoietic

- Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3

- Lymphocyte count at least 500/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

- Hemoglobin at least 10.0 g/dL

- No bleeding disorders

Hepatic

- Bilirubin no greater than 2 mg/dL

- AST and ALT less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal

Renal

- Creatinine no greater than 1.8 mg/dL

Cardiovascular

- No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease

Immunologic

- No history of immunodeficiency disease

- No history of autoimmune disease

Other

- HIV negative

- No prior severe reaction to PPD (at least 15 mm induration)

- No other malignancy within the past 5 years that has been treated with extensive
chemotherapy/radiotherapy, has the potential for immune dysfunction, or has evidence
of metastasis at the time of study entry

- No other serious illness

- No serious infection requiring antibiotics

- No mental disorder that would preclude the ability to give informed consent or comply
with study requirements

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

- More than 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy

- No prior bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

Chemotherapy

- More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas)

- No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

- More than 30 days since prior corticosteroids

- No concurrent systemic corticosteroids

- Concurrent topical or inhalational steroids allowed

Radiotherapy

- More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy

Surgery

- See Disease Characteristics

Other

- At least 5 days since prior antibiotics

- More than 4 weeks since prior participation in another clinical study

- No concurrent antihistaminic drugs

- No concurrent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs except low doses for prevention of
an acute cardiovascular event or pain control

- No concurrent immunosuppressive agents