Interferon Alfa in Treating Children With HIV-Related Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically proven malignancy diagnosed at any time following confirmation of HIV-positivity, including the following:

Leukemia
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
CNS lymphoma
Other solid tumors
Measurable disease

Concurrent registration on protocol POG-9182 required

Confirmed HIV-positive by POG-9182 criteria
Required biology studies completed

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

21 and under

Performance status:

Not specified

Life expectancy:

More than 4 weeks

Hematopoietic:

Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm^3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 (unless bone marrow involvement present)

Hepatic:

See Disease Characteristics
Bilirubin less than 1.5 times normal
SGPT and SGOT less than 2 times normal (may discuss with Study Coordinator)

Renal:

Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

Adequate cardiac function by echocardiogram/MUGA scan

Other:

Chronically infected patients must be stable enough to meet life expectancy requirement

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

No prior interferon for cancer
Prior interferon alfa for viral infections (i.e., hepatitis) must be discussed with Study Coordinator

Chemotherapy:

At least 1 week since prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

Not specified

Radiotherapy:

At least 1 week since prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

Not specified

Other:

Prior antiretroviral therapy allowed
At least 1 week since prior acute treatment for any serious or life-threatening infection
No concurrent local treatment unless discussed with the Study Coordinator
No concurrent acute treatment for any serious or life-threatening infection
Concurrent antiretroviral therapy allowed