MDX-060 Monoclonal Antibody in Treating Patients With Refractory or Relapsed Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed B-cell or T-cell lymphoma

Hodgkin's lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma eligible
No HIV-associated lymphoma

CD30-positive disease by biopsy, flow cytometry, or immunohistochemistry

At least 50% of malignant cells (specifically Reed-Sternberg cells for Hodgkin's lymphoma) must express CD30

Must meet one of the following criteria for relapsed/refractory disease:

Relapsed after prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy and autologous or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (if appropriate)

Relapsed disease must be within the prior irradiated field

Disease that is refractory to prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy with no other curative treatment option

Disease progression must be within the prior irradiated field
Progressive and evaluable disease (measurable disease required for patients accrued on study after the maximum tolerated dose is determined)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

Over 12

Performance status

ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy

At least 12 weeks

Hematopoietic

WBC at least 1,500/mm^3*
Neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm^3*
Platelet count at least 75,000/mm^3*
Hemoglobin at least 8.0 g/dL* NOTE: *Laboratory abnormalities attributable to organ involvement by lymphoma are allowed

Hepatic

AST no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)*
Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL (unless due to Gilbert's syndrome)*
Hepatitis B surface antigen negative
Hepatitis C antibody negative NOTE: *Laboratory abnormalities attributable to organ involvement by lymphoma are allowed

Renal

Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN* NOTE: *Laboratory abnormalities attributable to organ involvement by lymphoma are allowed

Other

Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 9 months after study participation
HIV negative
No other active malignancy within the past 5 years except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
No active significant infection

No apparent opportunistic infection, as indicated by any of the following:

Purified protein derivative recently determined to be positive
Infectious infiltrate by chest x-ray
Recent changes in fever/chill patterns
New, unexplained neurological symptoms
No underlying medical condition that would preclude receiving study therapy

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

See Disease Characteristics
No prior anti-CD30 antibody therapy
No other concurrent biologic therapy

Chemotherapy

See Disease Characteristics
At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy
No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

No concurrent systemic steroidal therapy (excluding physiologic doses)

Radiotherapy

See Disease Characteristics
At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery

Not specified

Other

No other concurrent investigational agents