Alemtuzumab in Treating Patients With Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

You may be eligible if

• 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