Zidovudine Plus Interleukin-2 and Ganciclovir in Treating Patients With AIDS-Related Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• HIV positive

• Diagnosis of central nervous system lymphoma by one of the following means:

  • Brain biopsy
  • Thallium spectroscopy scan in conjunction with CT scan or MRI after failing to improve with at least 2 weeks of antitoxoplasmosis therapy
  • Cerebral spinal fluid positive for Epstein Barr virus in conjunction with positive thallium spectroscopy scan
  • Thallium spectroscopy scan demonstrating a thallium retention index greater than 1
• Documented intracranial space occupying lesion
• No systemic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Not specified

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,000/mm3
• Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin and SGOT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal
• No major hepatic dysfunction as evidenced by encephalopathy, ascites, or varices

Renal:

• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Other:

• No prior other malignancy within the past 5 years except carcinoma in situ of the cervix, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, or Kaposi's sarcoma not requiring systemic therapy
• No active uncontrolled infection except HIV or Epstein Barr virus
• No known allergy to E. coli derived products
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• Not specified

Endocrine therapy:

• Concurrent corticosteroids allowed

Radiotherapy:

• Not specified

Surgery:

• Not specified