Epratuzumab in Treating Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) Relapsed or refractory after at least 1 regimen of standard therapy Prior therapy may include high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) or immunotherapy Bidimensionally measurable disease At least 1 lesion at least 1.5 cm by CT scan No primary or secondary CNS lymphoma No HIV-related lymphoma No known or suspected transformed lymphoma (prior or concurrent) No bulky disease (i.e., any single mass greater than 10.0 cm) No pleural effusion with positive cytology for lymphoma Most recent pathology specimen available for collection No rapid disease progression or symptoms that indicate disease progression requiring rapid intervention within the past 2 weeks (e.g., severe shortness of breath, severe pain, or gastrointestinal or genitourinary obstruction) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy At least 4 months Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 (transfusion independent) Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST and ALT less than 5 times ULN Hepatitis B surface antigen negative Hepatitis C negative Renal Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Other HIV negative No other primary malignancy within the past 3 years except squamous cell or basal cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or stage I prostate cancer No other serious nonmalignant condition that would preclude study No serious infection No known human antichimeric antibodies or human antihuman antibody positivity No type 1 hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reactions to murine proteins Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 6 months after study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy (unless clearly progressing) At least 12 weeks since prior ASCT Chemotherapy See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (unless clearly progressing) Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy No prior radioimmunotherapy Surgery At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery (unless patient has fully recovered) Other At least 30 days since prior enrollment in clinical trials involving investigational devices or drugs No concurrent enrollment in other clinical trials involving investigational devices or drugs No concurrent investigational agents for disease other than NHL