Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the breast with
previous manifestations of progressing regional or metastatic cancer Received one prior
systemic chemotherapy regimen for the treatment of metastases, which meets all of the
following criteria: Included either doxorubicin, a taxane (i.e., paclitaxel or docetaxel),
or both 6-8 courses were given If weekly taxane therapy received, at least 12 doses were
given Recovered from all related toxic effects (except alopecia and/or neuropathy) 3-6
weeks have elapsed since last course of chemotherapy was given No more than 40 weeks have
elapsed since the first dose of chemotherapy for metastases No current or prior history of
brain metastases Responding or stable disease since the initiation of systemic
chemotherapy (i.e., no disease progression) required No prior enrollment on ECOG trials
for metastatic disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Sex: Female Menopausal Status: Not specified
Performance status: ECOG 0 or 1 Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL SGOT no
greater 2 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Other:
Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test required if pre- or peri-menopausal (i.e.,
last menstrual period within one year prior to study) Pre- or peri-menopausal sexually
active women must use effective contraception No other invasive malignancy within last 5
years except curatively treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma
in situ of the cervix No history of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, symptomatic
osteoarthritis requiring therapy, or other inflammatory arthritis At least 5 years since
prior invasive malignancies except: Curatively treated basal cell or squamous cell
carcinoma of the skin Carcinoma in situ of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent immunotherapy No prior
trastuzumab Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent chemotherapy No prior
marimastat or batimastat Endocrine therapy: Prior and/or concurrent hormonal therapy for
breast cancer allowed Concurrent hormonal therapy allowed Radiotherapy: No concurrent
radiotherapy Surgery: No prior organ allograft Other: At least 4 weeks since other
investigational agents No concurrent bisphosphonate therapy unless it was initiated prior
to the study No concurrent immunosuppressive therapy Patients receiving anticoagulant
therapy must be carefully monitored