Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Low-Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically proven stage II, III, or IV low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy or for which no established therapy exists NOTE: A new classification scheme for adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been adopted by PDQ. The terminology of "indolent" or "aggressive" lymphoma will replace the former terminology of "low", "intermediate", or "high" grade lymphoma. However, this protocol uses the former terminology.
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• Karnofsky 60-100%
• Life expectancy:
• At least 2 months
• Hematopoietic:
• WBC greater than 2,000/mm\^3
• Platelet count greater than 20,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin normal
• Renal:
• Creatinine normal
• No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium
• Cardiovascular:
• No hypertension
• No history of congestive heart failure
• No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study
• No serious active infections
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• At least 4 weeks since immunotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent immunomodulating agents (e.g., interferon, interleukin-2)
• Chemotherapy:
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered
• Endocrine therapy:
• At least 4 weeks since prior corticosteroids
• No concurrent corticosteroids
• Radiotherapy:
• At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• Surgery:
• Not specified
• Other:
• No prior antineoplaston therapy
• No other concurrent antineoplastic agents
• No concurrent antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals