Combination Chemotherapy and Rituximab in Treating Young Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma or Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

You may be eligible if

• Histologically confirmed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma OR acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• * CD20+ (confirmed by flow cytometry of tumor tissue, involved marrow, or CD20 immunostaining)
• * The following histologies are generally CD20+ and are eligible:
• * Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma, or follicular lymphoma, grade III (rare), documented by flow cytometry or appropriate immunohistochemistry, any stage
• * Burkitt's lymphoma or atypical Burkitt's/Burkitt-like lymphoma, any stage
• * B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with FABL3 morphology and/or demonstration of surface immunoglobin by flow cytometry
• * Atypical precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma or other unusual histologies that are CD20+
• Measurable disease by clinical, radiographic, or histologic criteria
• Must be in first or later recurrence or have disease that is primarily refractory to conventional therapy
• No isolated CNS disease
• Performance status - ECOG 0-2
• At least 2 months
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,000/mm\^3\*
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 (transfusion independent)\*
• Hemoglobin ≥ 10.0 g/dL (RBC transfusion allowed)\*
• Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times normal
• ALT \< 2.5 times normal
• No chronic renal insufficiency
• * Renal insufficiency allowed provided it is secondary to tumor lysis syndrome
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study treatment
• HIV negative
• No active uncontrolled infection
• Seizure disorder allowed if well controlled with anticonvulsants
• No CNS toxicity greater than grade II
• At least 24 hours since prior growth factor(s)
• At least 60 days since prior biologic (antineoplastic) therapy
• Prior stem cell transplantation allowed provided the following criteria are met:
• * More than 60 days since transplantation
• * Hematopoietic lab value requirements are met (See Hematopoietic)
• * No evidence of graft-versus-host disease (if post-allogeneic transplantation)
• Prior monoclonal antibody therapy allowed (including rituximab)
• No other concurrent immunomodulating agents
• More than 2 weeks since prior myelosuppressive chemotherapy (4 weeks for nitrosoureas)
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• No concurrent steroids (except for rituximab infusion-related symptoms)
• At least 2 weeks since prior local palliative radiotherapy (small port)
• At least 6 weeks since prior substantial bone marrow radiotherapy
• At least 6 months since prior craniospinal radiotherapy or radiotherapy to 50% or more of the pelvis
• Concurrent radiotherapy to localized painful, airway-compromising, or other acute organ-threatening lesions allowed provided at least 1 measurable lesion is not irradiated
• Recovered from prior therapy
• No concurrent participation in another phase II study