Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Treating Patients With Lymphoproliferative Disorder Associated With Immunosuppression Therapy

OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the efficacy of rituximab in patients with B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders while under pharmacologic immune suppression for control of either allograft rejection or autoimmune disease. II. Evaluate the safety and direct toxicity of rituximab in this patient population, including the potential for opportunistic infections. III. Evaluate the secondary consequences of rituximab therapy in this population, including changes in the requirement for immunosuppressive drugs, effects on graft rejection, graft survival, and severity of autoimmune disease.

OUTLINE: Patients receive rituximab IV over several hours. Treatment repeats every week for 4 courses. Patients are followed every month for 6 months, and then every 3 months until relapse or 2 years.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 15 patients will be accrued for this study within 1 year.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Polyclonal or monoclonal B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder while under pharmacologic immune suppression for control of either allograft rejection or autoimmune disease Measurable disease as defined by one of the following: At least 1 tumor mass measuring 1.0 cm in largest dimension Greater than 25% marrow involvement Quantifiable extranodal disease Expression of CD20 antigen confirmed by biopsy or fine needle aspirate Progression of disease or stable disease following reduction of immunosuppressive medication and antiviral therapy Inability to further reduce immunosuppressive medication

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 3 to 70 Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: No congestive heart failure Pulmonary: No pneumonitis Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study No serious nonmalignant disease No active uncontrolled bacterial, viral, or fungal infections

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 2 weeks since change in dosing and type of immunosuppressive drugs unless due to progression of disease Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery (except diagnostic surgery) Other: At least 30 days or 5 half-lives since other prior investigational drugs or whichever is longer