Bortezomib in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Inclusion Criteria: Histologically confirmed classical Hodgkin's lymphoma No bone marrow biopsies or fine needle aspirates as the sole means of diagnosis Core biopsies allowed if they contain adequate tissue for primary diagnosis The following subtypes are allowed: Nodular sclerosis Lymphocyte rich Mixed cellularity Lymphocyte depletion Classical Hodgkin's lymphoma, not otherwise specified No nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma Relapsed or refractory disease after at least 1 prior standard systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen Measurable disease by physical exam or imaging studies Any tumor mass > 1 cm is allowed No non-measurable disease only, including the following: Bone lesions Ascites Pleural or pericardial effusion Lymphangitis cutis/pulmonis Bone marrow No curative option available with high-dose therapy and stem cell transplantation Performance status - 0-2 Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 750/mm^3 Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm^3 Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST ≤ 2.5 times ULN Creatinine ≤ 2.5 mg/dL No sensory or motor peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2 Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for up to 3 months after study participation See Disease Characteristics Prior stem cell transplantation allowed See Disease Characteristics No concurrent chemotherapy No concurrent dexamethasone or other steroidal antiemetics Concurrent steroids for adrenal failure allowed Concurrent hormonal therapy for non-disease related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes) allowed Prior radiotherapy to a symptomatic lesion or one that may produce disability (e.g., unstable femur) is allowed provided other measurable disease is present No concurrent palliative radiotherapy Recovered from all prior treatment No prior bortezomib or other proteosome inhibitors