S9628 Dexamethasone Plus Interferon Alfa in Treating Patients With Primary Systemic Amyloidosis

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically diagnosed primary systemic amyloidosis based on the following:

Deposition of fibrillary protein with Congo red positive stain or characteristic electron microscopic appearance
Monoclonal light chain protein (Bence-Jones protein) in serum or urine or immunohistochemical studies
Evidence of tissue involvement other than carpal tunnel syndrome

Diagnostic histologic material available for central pathology review

Confirmation of tissue diagnosis at all sites of organ dysfunction encouraged
No senile, secondary, localized, dialysis-related, or familial amyloidosis
No known therapy-related myelodysplasia

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

Adult

Performance status:

SWOG 0-4

Hematopoietic:

Not specified

Hepatic:

Not specified

Renal:

Not specified

Cardiovascular:

No NYHA class IV status

Other:

No uncontrolled diabetes
No active peptic ulcer disease
No medical condition that precludes high-dose steroids
No second malignancy within 5 years except:
Adequately treated nonmelanomatous skin cancer
In situ cervical cancer
Adequately treated stage I/II cancer in complete remission
Not pregnant or nursing
Effective contraception required of fertile patients
Blood/body fluid analyses within 14 days prior to registration
Imaging/exams for tumor measurement within 28 days prior to registration
Other screening exams within 42 days prior to registration

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

No prior interferon alfa

Chemotherapy

Prior melphalan allowed, but recovered from effects
At least 4 weeks since cytotoxic therapy and recovered

Endocrine therapy

Prior prednisone allowed, but recovered from effects
At least 4 weeks since prior glucocorticoids
No prior dexamethasone
No planned or concurrent dexamethasone or other therapy for primary systemic amyloidosis

Radiotherapy

Not specified

Surgery

Not specified