Combination Chemotherapy Followed By Antiviral Therapy and Interferon Alfa in Treating Patients With HTLV-1-Related Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed HTLV-1-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL)

  • Previously treated ATLL allowed
• CD3-positive
• Documented HTLV-1 infection by serologic assay (ELISA, Western blot)
• Measurable or evaluable disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Karnofsky 50-100%

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm^3*
• Platelet count greater than 75,000/mm^3* NOTE: *Unless cytopenia is secondary to ATLL

Hepatic:

• Transaminase less than 7 times upper limit of normal
• Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL (unless secondary to hepatic infiltration with lymphoma or isolated indirect hyperbilirubinemia associated with indinavir)

Renal:

• Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL (unless due to lymphoma)

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study completion
• No active opportunistic infection requiring acute therapy
• No untreated thyroid disease
• No autoimmune disease
• No uncontrolled significant psychiatric disease
• No other concurrent malignancy except carcinoma in situ of the cervix or non-metastatic nonmelanoma skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 24 hours since prior hematologic growth factors

Chemotherapy:

• Not specified

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• Not specified

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• Concurrent chronic therapy with potentially myelosuppressive agents allowed
• Other concurrent antiretroviral therapy for HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C infection (or other indication) allowed at investigator's discretion for patients receiving therapy prior to study initiation