Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed relapsed or
chemotherapy/immunotherapy-resistant mantle cell lymphoma

- No more than 3 lines of prior systemic treatment

- At least one measurable lesion ≥ 15 mm in its greatest transverse diameter by CT scan

Exclusion criteria:

- Presence or history of CNS disease (either CNS lymphoma or lymphomatous meningosis)

- Newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma

- Patients suitable for intensive treatment (e.g., hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide,
vincristine, doxorubicin hydrochloride and dexamethasone with high-dose methotrexate
and cytarabine [HyperCVAD])

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

- WHO performance status ≤ 2

- Creatinine clearance ≥ 30mL/min

- Bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2 times ULN

- AST and ALT ≤ 2 times ULN

- Neutrophils ≥ 1,500/mm³ (≥ 1,000/mm³ with marrow infiltration)

- Thrombocytes ≥ 100,000/mm³ (≥ 75,000/mm³ in case of bone marrow infiltration)

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 12 months after
study participation

Exclusion criteria:

- Prior or concurrent hematological malignancies

- Patients with prior solid organ tumors that required no treatment over the last
5 years and are currently free of disease are eligible

- Cardiovascular disease including any of the following:

- NYHA class III or IV congestive heart failure

- Unstable angina pectoris

- Significant arrhythmia or arrhythmia requiring chronic treatment

- Myocardial infarction in the last 3 months

- Serious underlying medical condition which could impair the ability of the patient to
participate in the trial including any of the following:

- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

- Gastric ulcers

- Active autoimmune disease

- Ongoing infection (e.g., HIV or hepatitis)

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Exclusion criteria:

- Prior radiation where the indicator lesion(s) are in the irradiated field

- Prior organ transplantation

- Participation in another clinical trial within 30 days prior to study entry

- Concurrent anticancer drugs/treatments or experimental medications

- Other concurrent investigational therapy

- Other concurrent chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy (including palliative
radiotherapy)