Altretamine and Etoposide in Treating Patients With HIV-Related Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Documented HIV antibody positive Histologically confirmed, by biopsy, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is in complete remission or stable/partial remission for a minimal period of one month And/or Histologically confirmed, by biopsy, Kaposi's sarcoma without stable disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 500/mm3 Platelet count greater than 25,000/mm3 (unless secondary to lymphoma) Hepatic: Transaminases less than 5 times upper limit of normal AND Bilirubin less than 2.0, unless secondary to lymphoma Renal: Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Dose reduction of 21% if creatinine clearance 10-50 mL/min Dose reduction of 50% if creatinine clearance less than 10 mL/min Cardiovascular: No active cardiac arrhythmia or angina Pulmonary: Must exclude Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia if there is any suspicion of infection Other: No uncontrolled infections Not pregnant or nursing Adequate contraception for fertile patients PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Patients with concurrent antiretroviral therapy should be on a stable dose of that therapy for at least one month prior to entry No concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent hormone therapy Radiotherapy: No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified