Epoetin Alfa in Treating Anemia in Patients With Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, or Multiple Myeloma and Anemia Caused By Chemotherapy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or multiple myeloma

Low grade, intermediate grade, or high grade (diffuse large cell immunoblastic only) NHL OR
Histologically confirmed Hodgkin's disease with prior chemotherapy
Evaluable lesion
Must be scheduled for at least 1 myelosuppressive cytotoxic regimen (experimental chemotherapy regimens allowed) for at least 4-6 months
No anemia predominantly due to factors other than cancer or chemotherapy (i.e.,iron or folate deficiencies, hemolysis, or gastrointestinal bleeding) NOTE: A new classification scheme for adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been adopted by 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 70-100%

Life expectancy:

At least 6 months

Hematopoietic:

Transferrin saturation at least 20%
Ferritin at least 50 ng/mL OR
Adequate iron stores in bone marrow
If transferrin saturation is less than 20% or ferritin is less than 50 ng/mL, investigator may utilize bone marrow evaluation results to determine whether iron stores are adequate
Hemoglobin at least 10.0 g/dL

Hepatic:

Not specified

Renal:

Not specified

Cardiovascular:

No uncontrolled hypertension

Other:

HIV negative
No active, unresolved infection
No hypersensitivity to mammalian cell derived products
Must be able to read and understand English at a 6th grade level consistent with comprehending the quality of life questionnaires
No other malignancy within past 5 years, except basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

No concurrent epoetin alfa independent of protocol
No concurrent interferons and interleukins (occasional short term use may be permitted on a case by case basis)
No prior peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

Chemotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 2 weeks since prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

Not specified

Radiotherapy:

No prior total lymphoid, extensive abdominal, or inverted Y radiotherapy

Surgery:

Not specified

Other:

At least 30 days since prior nonchemotherapy experimental agents