Combination Chemotherapy and Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Treating Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed stage II, III, or IV diffuse large cell lymphoma and WHO variants
• * CD20+ large B-cell lymphoma, including those with immunoblastic features
• * CD20+ thymic B-cell lymphoma
• * No evidence of indolent lymphoma
• * No mantle cell lymphomas or equivocal B-cell lymphomas that express markers of mantle cell lymphoma (e.g., cyclin D) or other subtypes
• No known lymphomatous involvement of the CNS, including the parenchyma or leptomeninges
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• Not specified
• Performance status:
• CALGB 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm3\*
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3\* NOTE: \* Unless due to lymphoma
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL\* NOTE: \* Unless due to lymphoma or Gilbert's disease
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL\* NOTE: \* Unless due to lymphoma
• Cardiovascular:
• LVEF greater than 45%
• No ischemic heart disease
• No myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure within the past year
• Other:
• HIV negative
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• Prior short-course of glucocorticoids allowed
• No concurrent hormones except for non-disease-related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes)
• No concurrent steroids except for adrenal failure
• No concurrent dexamethasone or other steroidal antiemetics
• Radiotherapy:
• Prior limited-field radiotherapy allowed
• Surgery:
• Not specified