Beta Alethine in Treating Patients With Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Confirmed diagnosis of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia Urine or serum protein electrophoresis showing a measurable monoclonal spike Indolent disease not yet requiring therapy allowed Positive delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response Induration greater than 2 mm for at least 1 antigen No clinical signs or evidence of active brain involvement or leptomeningeal disease 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: Albumin at least 3.5 g/dL Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL Transaminases no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No acute changes on EKG No uncontrolled angina No heart failure No arrhythmia Other: Adequate nutritional intake as evidenced by total protein at least 60 g/L Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No concurrent gastrointestinal bleed No active bacterial infections such as abscess or with fistulae HIV negative No other concurrent non-malignant disease that would preclude study No history of alcoholism, drug addiction, or psychotic disorders that would preclude follow-up PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: More than 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy More than 4 weeks since prior cytokines More than 4 weeks since prior plasmapheresis or plasma exchange No prior stem cell or bone marrow transplant Chemotherapy: More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas, mitomycin, or high-dose carboplatin) No prior intensive chemotherapy with stem cell support Endocrine therapy: More than 4 weeks since prior corticosteroids No concurrent corticosteroids Radiotherapy: More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy involving more than 25% of bone marrow Surgery: Recovered from any prior surgery No prior organ transplant Other: No other concurrent investigational agent No concurrent immunosuppressants No concurrent anti-inflammatory agents including aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents