Inclusion Criteria:

- Histological or cytological diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

- Disease exclusively localised into the CNS at first diagnosis and failure

- Progressive or recurrent disease

- Previous treatment with HDMTX containing CHT and/or RT

- Presence of at least one target lesion, bidimensionally measurable

- Age 18 - 75 years

- ECOG performance status < 3 (Appendix 1).

- No known HIV disease or immunodeficiency

- HBsAg-negative and Ab anti-HCV-negative patients.

- Adequate bone marrow function (plt > 100000 mm3, Hb > 9 g/dl, ANC > 2.000 mm3)

- Adequate renal function (serum creatinine < 2 times UNL)

- Adequate hepatic function (SGOT/SGPT < 3 times UNL, bilirubin and alkaline
phosphatase < 2 times UNL)

- Adequate cardiac function (VEF ≥ 50%)

- Absence of any psycological, familial, sociological or geographical condition
potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule

- Non-pregnant and non-lactating status for female patients. Adequate contraceptive
measures during study participation for sexually active patients of childbearing
potential.

- No previous or concurrent malignancies at other sites with the exception of
surgically cured carcinoma in-site of the cervix and basal or squamous cell carcinoma
of the skin and of other neoplasms without evidence of disease since at least 5
years.

- No concurrent treatment with other experimental drugs.

- Informed consent signed by the patient before registration