Cytokine-Based Immunotherapy Following High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
Cytokine-Based Immunotherapy Following High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
RATIONALE: Biological therapies use different ways to stimulate the immune system and stop cancer cells from growing. Combining chemotherapy and peripheral stem cell transplantation with biological therapy may kill more cancer cells.
PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of biological therapy with sargramostim, interleukin-2, and interferon alfa following chemotherapy and peripheral stem cell transplantation in treating patients who have cancer.
OBJECTIVES:
OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation study of interleukin-2 and interferon alfa.
Beginning 14 days after the autologous stem cell transplant, patients receive daily subcutaneous injections of sargramostim (GM-CSF) on days 1-7 and daily intravenous interleukin-2 on days 3-7, followed by 1 week of rest. Patients then receive a subcutaneous injection of interferon alfa three times a week for 3 weeks followed by one more week of rest. Treatment is repeated for four courses.
Cohorts of 10 patients each receive escalating doses of interleukin-2 and interferon alfa until a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose at which no more than 3 of 10 patients experience dose limiting toxicity. Intrapatient dose escalation occurs in courses 2-4, in the absence of dose limiting toxicity.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A maximum of 40 patients will be accrued for this study.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
Diagnosis of one of the following cancers and undergoing high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue (ASCR):
Hormone receptor status:
A new classification scheme for adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been adopted by PDQ. The terminology of "indolent" or "aggressive" lymphoma will replace the former terminology of "low", "intermediate", or "high" grade lymphoma. However, this protocol uses the former terminology.
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
Age:
Menopausal status:
Performance status:
Hematopoietic:
Hepatic:
Renal:
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
Biologic therapy:
Chemotherapy:
Endocrine therapy:
Radiotherapy:
Surgery: