506U78 in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

Inclusion Criteria: Histologically confirmed relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma Large cell transformation of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma allowed No active CNS disease Performance status - Zubrod 0-2 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm^3* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3* Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Creatinine clearance greater than 50 mL/min No history of symptomatic cardiac dysfunction No history of pericardial effusion HIV negative No grade 2 or greater sensory or motor neuropathy No history of seizures No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin of carcinoma in situ of the cervix No medical, psychiatric, or social condition that would preclude study No other concurrent serious illness or active infection Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No prior stem cell or bone marrow transplantation (BMT) No more than 1 prior immunotherapy regimen No more than 3 prior systemic regimens with denileukin diftitox At least 3 weeks since prior biologic therapy No concurrent BMT No prior 506U78 No more than 3 prior systemic chemotherapy regimens comprising any of the following: Oral methotrexate Topical mechlorethamine At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy No other concurrent chemotherapy At least 3 weeks since prior anticancer endocrine therapy No concurrent topical or systemic steroids At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy No more than 3 prior systemic regimens comprising any of the following: Total skin electron beam therapy Spot radiotherapy No more than 3 prior systemic regimens comprising any of the following: Oral retinoids Ultraviolet therapy (PUVA) At least 3 weeks since prior anticancer therapy