Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Confirmed diagnosis of active multiple myeloma Refractory (less
than a partial response) to or relapsed after standard chemotherapy Myeloma protein
present for response evaluation Nonsecretory myeloma eligible if plasmacytosis greater
than 30% OR Pathologic diagnosis of Castleman's disease Multicentric or symptomatic
disease requiring therapy Measurable or evaluable disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy:
At least 1 year Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count greater than 1,500/mm3 Platelet
count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal SGOT no greater than 2 times
upper limit of normal PT and PTT normal No coagulopathy Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5
mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance greater than 70 mL/min Calcium no greater than 12 mg/dL
Other: No severe psychiatric disorder that would preclude informed consent No known
seizure disorder No peripheral neuropathy or POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly,
endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) syndrome No uncontrolled or
brittle diabetes mellitus HIV negative No other active medical illness that would preclude
study No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or
stage IA cervical carcinoma Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile
patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy
Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6
weeks since prior mitomycin or nitrosoureas) Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since
prior glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone, dexamethasone) Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks
since prior radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to more than 20% of bone marrow Surgery: At
least 4 weeks since prior surgery Other: Recovered from the toxic effects of prior therapy
No other concurrent therapy