Combination Therapy With Fludarabine, Mitoxantrone and Rituximab in Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Inclusion Criteria: Pathologic diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the mantle cell sub-type lymphoma only, as determined by morphologic assessment and consistent immunophemotypic markers Newly diagnosed and patients who have received prior treatment are eligible Measurable or evaluable disease Karnofsky performance status greater or equal to 50% Men and women, age greater or equal to 18 years old AGC greater or equal to 1.0; platelets greater or equal to 75,000; Hemoglobin greater or equal to 8.0 (unless because of lymphomatous infiltration of the marrow) Creatinine less than 2.0; bilirubin less than 2.0; SGOT less than 3 times upper limit of normal (unless elevations are due to lymphomatous involvement) Women of child bearing potential must have negative pregnancy test within 14 days of study entry. Signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria: History of congestive heart failure or significant cardiac disease Prior exposure to either fludarabine or mitoxantrone. Prior exposure to rituximab allowed Active infection HIV seropositive Pregnant or lactating females Second active malignancy, other than squamous cell skin cancer,in-situ cervical cancer, or history of other cancer diagnosed within the preceding 5 years Presence of psychological or emotional disorders which would make valid informed consent impossible