Alemtuzumab in Treating Patients With Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Diagnosis of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma)
• •* Immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgG, and IgA paraprotein
• •* Measurable monoclonal paraprotein
• •Failed at least 1 prior first-line therapy (alkylator agent, nucleoside analogue, or rituximab)
• •CD52-positive tumor determined by either bone marrow immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Age
• •Over 18
• •Performance status
• •ECOG 0-2
• •Life expectancy
• •At least 6 months
• •Hematopoietic
• •Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 500/mm\^3
• •Platelet count ≥ 25,000/mm\^3
• •Hepatic
• •SGOT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• •Bilirubin ≤ 2.5 times ULN
• •Renal
• •Creatinine ≤ 2.5 mg/dL (\> 2.5 mg/dL allowed if due to disease)
• •Other
• •Not pregnant or nursing
• •Negative pregnancy test
• •Fertile patients must use effective double-method contraception during and for 6 months after study participation
• •No serious comorbid disease
• •No uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, or viral infection
• •No other active malignancy
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •Biologic therapy
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •No prior alemtuzumab
• •More than 3 months since other prior monoclonal antibody therapy
• •Chemotherapy
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •More than 21 days since prior chemotherapy
• •Endocrine therapy
• •More than 21 days since prior steroid therapy
• •Radiotherapy
• •More than 21 days since prior radiotherapy
• •Surgery
• •Not specified