MDX-060 Monoclonal Antibody in Treating Patients With Refractory or Relapsed Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed B-cell or T-cell lymphoma Hodgkin's lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma eligible No HIV-associated lymphoma CD30-positive disease by biopsy, flow cytometry, or immunohistochemistry At least 50% of malignant cells (specifically Reed-Sternberg cells for Hodgkin's lymphoma) must express CD30 Must meet one of the following criteria for relapsed/refractory disease: Relapsed after prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy and autologous or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (if appropriate) Relapsed disease must be within the prior irradiated field Disease that is refractory to prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy with no other curative treatment option Disease progression must be within the prior irradiated field Progressive and evaluable disease (measurable disease required for patients accrued on study after the maximum tolerated dose is determined) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age Over 12 Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic WBC at least 1,500/mm^3* Neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm^3* Platelet count at least 75,000/mm^3* Hemoglobin at least 8.0 g/dL* NOTE: *Laboratory abnormalities attributable to organ involvement by lymphoma are allowed Hepatic AST no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)* Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL (unless due to Gilbert's syndrome)* Hepatitis B surface antigen negative Hepatitis C antibody negative NOTE: *Laboratory abnormalities attributable to organ involvement by lymphoma are allowed Renal Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN* NOTE: *Laboratory abnormalities attributable to organ involvement by lymphoma are allowed Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 9 months after study participation HIV negative No other active malignancy within the past 5 years except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No active significant infection No apparent opportunistic infection, as indicated by any of the following: Purified protein derivative recently determined to be positive Infectious infiltrate by chest x-ray Recent changes in fever/chill patterns New, unexplained neurological symptoms No underlying medical condition that would preclude receiving study therapy PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy See Disease Characteristics No prior anti-CD30 antibody therapy No other concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy No concurrent systemic steroidal therapy (excluding physiologic doses) Radiotherapy See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery Not specified Other No other concurrent investigational agents