Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With High-Grade Stage II – Stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically proven stage II, III, or IV high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that has not responded to, or has relapsed after a standard primary chemotherapy regimen plus at least 1 standard second-line salvage chemotherapy regimen NOTE: A new classification scheme for adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been adoptedby PDQ. The terminology of "indolent" or "aggressive" lymphoma will replace the former terminology of "low", "intermediate", or "high" grade lymphoma. However, this protocol uses the former terminology.

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Performance status:

Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

WBC greater than 2000/mm^3
Platelet count greater than 50,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Cardiovascular:

No uncontrolled hypertension
No history of congestive heart failure
No history of cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Other:

Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation
No active infection requiring treatment

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered
No concurrent immunomodulatory agent (e.g., interferon or interleukin-2)

Chemotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered
No concurrent antineoplastic agent

Endocrine therapy:

At least 4 weeks since prior dexamethasone, prednisone, or other corticosteroids
No concurrent corticosteroid

Radiotherapy:

At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

Not specified

Other:

No prior antineoplaston therapy
No concurrent antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals