Beta Alethine in Treating Patients With Myeloma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven myeloma * Multiple myeloma * Indolent myeloma with slowly progressive bone pathology * Smoldering myeloma with no bone pathology but a progressive increase in M-protein * Solitary myeloma OR * Diagnosis of evolving monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance with increasing M-protein or decreasing hemoglobin level * Measurable M-protein or Bence Jones protein * Indolent disease not requiring therapy allowed * No clinical signs or evidence of active brain involvement or leptomeningeal disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy: * At least 4 months Hematopoietic: * See Disease Characteristics * Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic: * Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL * Transaminases no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: * No acute changes on electrocardiogram * No uncontrolled angina, heart failure, or arrhythmia Other: * Adequate nutritional status (total protein at least 60.0 g/L, albumin at least 35 g/L) * HIV negative * No AIDS * No active bacterial infection (e.g., abscess) or with fistula * No history of alcoholism, drug addiction, or psychotic disorders that would preclude study * No other nonmalignant disease that would preclude study * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy or cytokines Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas, mitomycin, or high-dose carboplatin) Endocrine therapy: * No concurrent corticosteroids Radiotherapy: * No prior radiotherapy to greater than 25% of bone marrow Surgery: * Recovered from any prior surgery * No prior solid organ transplantation Other: * No other concurrent investigational agent * No concurrent immunosuppressive agents * No concurrent anti-inflammatory agents, including aspirin or over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs