DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the breast

  • Metastatic disease
• Radiographic evidence of measurable disease on CT scan or X-ray, or evidence of evaluable disease on bone scan that is consistent with metastasis

• HLA-A2 phenotype known

  • At least 12 patients in each treatment arm must be HLA-A2 positive

• HER2/neu status known

  • Must have progressive or recurrent disease after prior trastuzumab (Herceptin®) therapy if disease is HER2/neu-positive by fluorescence in situ hybridization or immunohistochemistry (3+)
• No clinically active brain metastases

• Hormone receptor status:

  • Estrogen-receptor (ER) status known
  • Patients with ER-positive tumor must have failed prior primary hormonal therapy unless clinically indicated (i.e., in patients with visceral disease or symptomatic bone disease where upfront chemotherapy is warranted)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 and over

Sex

• Male or female

Menopausal status

• Not specified

Performance status

• ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy

• At least 6 months

Hematopoietic

• Granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL

Hepatic

• Bilirubin normal

• Meets 1 of the following criteria:

  • SGOT and SGPT < 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • SGOT and SGPT ≤ 2 times ULN AND alkaline phosphatase < 2.5 times ULN
• Hepatitis B and C negative

Renal

• Creatinine normal OR
• Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min*
• Proteinuria < 1,000 mg by 24-hour urine collection* NOTE: *Unless due to nonrenal causes

Cardiovascular

• No New York Heart Association class II-IV cardiac disease
• No clinically significant cardiomyopathy requiring treatment

• No cardiac complications including any of the following:

  • Recent myocardial infarction
  • Cerebrovascular accident within the past year
  • Unstable or uncontrolled angina

Gastrointestinal

• No inflammatory bowel disease
• No Crohn's disease
• No ulcerative colitis
• No active diverticulitis

Immunologic

• HIV negative
• No history of allergy or untoward reaction to prior vaccinia virus vaccination
• No history of allergy or hypersensitivity reaction to eggs or egg products
• No active autoimmune disease requiring treatment OR history of autoimmune disease that may be stimulated by vaccine therapy

• No altered immune function, including any of the following conditions:

  • History of or active immunodeficiency
  • History of or active eczema or other eczematoid skin disorders
  • Acute, chronic, or exfoliative skin conditions (e.g., atopic dermatitis, burns, impetigo, varicella zoster, severe acne, or other open rashes or wounds)

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 months after completion of study treatment
• Endocrine disease, including thyroid disease, adrenal disease, and vitiligo, that is controlled by replacement therapy allowed
• Must appear clinically stable, in the opinion of the investigator, to complete the full 3-month course of vaccination
• No active seizures within the past year or clinically active brain metastasis

• No close household contact (i.e., shares housing or has close physical contact) with the following individuals within 2 weeks after vaccinia vaccination:

  • Individuals with a history of or active eczema or other eczematoid skin disorders
  • Individuals with other acute, chronic, or exfoliative skin conditions (e.g., atopic dermatitis, burns, impetigo, varicella zoster, severe acne, or other open rashes or wounds) until condition resolves
  • Pregnant or nursing women
  • Children 3 years of age and under
  • Immunodeficient or immunosuppressed individuals (by disease or therapy), including HIV-positive individuals
• No other serious medical illness that would preclude study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior vaccinia-CEA-MUC-1-TRICOM or fowlpox-CEA-MUC-1-TRICOM vaccines
• No other concurrent anticancer immunotherapy

Chemotherapy

• At least 12 months since prior adjuvant docetaxel

  • No prior docetaxel for metastatic disease
• At least 3-4 weeks since prior cytotoxic chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or carboplatin)
• Unlimited prior chemotherapy regimens allowed
• No other concurrent anticancer chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• Unlimited prior hormonal therapy allowed
• Patients who have progressed on trastuzumab (Herceptin®) may continue to receive therapy unless discontinued at the time of study entry (i.e., cannot be resumed while on study treatment)
• No concurrent systemic steroids except physiologic doses for systemic steroid replacement OR local (topical, nasal, or inhaled) steroid use
• No concurrent steroid eye drops
• No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy

• No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy

Surgery

• No prior splenectomy
• No concurrent major surgery

Other

• Recovered from all prior therapy
• No other concurrent anticancer therapy