Rituximab and Dexamethasone in Treating Patients With Low-Grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients must have histologically proven CD20+ low grade B cell lymphoma including follicular, marginal zone, monocytoid B cell, and lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma; patients may be previously untreated or in relapse
Patients must have measurable disease with clearly defined margins assessed by physical exam with direct measurement (for cutaneous B-cell lymphomas), computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), defined as >= 20 mm with conventional CT or MRI or >= 10 mm using spiral CT scan
Absolute neutrophil count >= 1000/mm^3
Hemoglobin > 7 g/dl
Platelets >= 100,000/mm^3
Serum creatinine =< 2.5 mg/dl
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) =< 2x the upper limit of normal (ULN)
Karnofsky performance score >= 70 %
Patient has signed an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved informed consent form that conforms to federal and institutional guidelines

Exclusion Criteria:

Patient has received rituximab therapy within 6 months of entry into protocol
Patient has received systemic steroid therapy within one month of entry into protocol
Patient has Intermediate or High Grade NHL, mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or small lymphocytic lymphoma
Patient is pregnant or lactating
Patient is unwilling or unable to practice contraception during treatment and for one year thereafter
Patient has active central nervous system (CNS) disease
Patient has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease
Patient has an active infection requiring antimicrobial therapy
Patient has significant heart disease, New York Heart Classification III or IV heart disease (III: Marked limitation of physical activity; comfortable at rest, but less than ordinary activity causes fatigue, or dyspnea; IV: Unable to carry on any physical activity without symptoms; symptoms are present even at rest; if any physical activity is undertaken, symptoms are increased)
Patient requires supplemental oxygen
Patient has a concomitant malignancy or previous malignancy within the last five years, with the exception of adequately treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or in situ cervical or in situ breast cancer
Patients with active hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or hepatitis, or with hepatitis C positive serology