Phase I Study of Intrathecal Topotecan

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Leukemia, lymphoma, or solid tumor with overt meningeal involvement considered refractory to conventional therapy.
• CSF leukemic cell count at least 5 per cubic millimeter with evidence of blast cells on cytospin or cytology required for leukemia and lymphoma patients.
• Tumor cells on cytospin or cytology or measurable meningeal disease on CT or MRI required for patients with solid tumors.
• No clinical evidence of obstructive hydrocephalus or compartmentalization of the CSF flow as documented by indium-111- or technetium-99-DPTA flow study.
• PRIOR/CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• At least 1 week since CNS therapy.
• Biologic Therapy: Recovery from toxic effects of prior immunotherapy required.
• Chemotherapy:
• Recovery from toxic effects of prior chemotherapy required.
• No concomitant therapy to treat meningeal malignancy (intrathecal or systemic).
• Concomitant chemotherapy to control systemic disease or bulk CNS disease allowed except: Investigational agents. Agents that penetrate the CNS (e.g., high-dose methotrexate, thiotepa, high-dose cytarabine, fluorouracil, intravenous mercaptopurine).
• Agents known to have serious unpredictable CNS side effects.
• Endocrine Therapy: Not specified.
• Surgery: Not specified.
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age: 3 and over (older patients giving consent will be enrolled before the very young, if possible).
• Performance status: ECOG 0-2.
• Life expectancy: At least 8 weeks.
• Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics.
• Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL, SGPT less than 3 times normal.
• Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL.
• Metabolic: Serum electrolytes (including calcium and phosphate) normal.
• Other: No significant systemic illness (e.g., infection). Not pregnant or lactating.