Beta Alethine in Treating Patients With Low-Grade Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed low grade B-cell lymphoma Measurable residual disease after maximal response to prior chemotherapy OR Indolent disease not yet requiring therapy No congenital immunodeficiency associated lymphoma No primary lymphoma of the brain No active brain involvement or leptomeningeal disease NOTE: A new classification scheme for adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been adopted by PDQ. The terminology of "indolent" or "aggressive" lymphoma will replace the former terminology of "low", "intermediate", or "high" grade lymphoma. However, this protocol uses the former terminology. PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy: At least 4 months Hematopoietic: Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL SGOT/SGPT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Calculated creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled angina, heart failure, or arrhythmia No acute changes on EKG Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception HIV negative No AIDS Adequate nutritional status (total protein at least 60.0 g/L) No active bacterial infections (e.g., abscess or with fistula) No nonmalignant disease that would preclude study No history of alcoholism, drug addiction, or psychotic disorders that would preclude study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Prior bone marrow transplantation allowed At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy or cytokines Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Prior intensive chemotherapy with stem cell support allowed At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas, mitomycin, or high dose carboplatin) Endocrine therapy: No concurrent corticosteroids Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of bone marrow Surgery: Recovered from prior surgery No prior solid organ transplantation Other: No concurrent antiinflammatory agents including aspirin, or over the counter or prescription nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs No concurrent immunosuppressive agents No other concurrent investigational agents