BL22 Immunotoxin in Treating Patients With Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed chronic lymphocytic leukemia or prolymphocytic leukemia:
Failed prior standard chemotherapy and treatment is medically indicated as evidenced by the following:
Progressive disease-related symptoms
Progressive cytopenias due to marrow involvement
Progressive or painful splenomegaly or adenopathy
Rapidly increasing lymphocytosis
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia or thrombocytopenia
Increased frequency of infections OR
Confirmed CD22+ B-cell indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Stages II-IV that have failed at least 1 prior standard therapy and treatment is medically indicated
No patients whose serum neutralizes BL22 or PE38 in tissue culture, due to antitoxin or antimouse-IgG antibodies
No central nervous system disease requiring treatment
If the patient is non-leukemic, the absolute neutrophil count must be greater than 1,000/mm3 and the platelet count greater than 40,000/mm3

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Performance status:

Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

More than 6 months

Hematopoietic:

See Disease Characteristics

Hepatic:

ALT and AST less than 5 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

Adequate renal function

Pulmonary:

Adequate pulmonary function

Other:

Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
HIV negative

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

Prior bone marrow transplantation allowed
At least 3 weeks since prior interferon for malignancy

Chemotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 3 weeks since prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy

Endocrine therapy:

Not specified

Radiotherapy:

At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for malignancy

Surgery:

Not specified

Other:

At least 3 weeks since prior retinoids
At least 3 weeks since prior systemic therapy for cancer