A Phase II Trial of 72-Hour Continuous Infusion Bleomycin as Salvage Therapy in AIDS-Related and Immunocompetent Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the objective response rate, response duration and survival of patients receiving bleomycin as salvage therapy for AIDS-related or immunocompetent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. II. Assess the feasibility and toxicity of treatment for this disease. III. Evaluate the quality of life of AIDS and non-AIDS patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

OUTLINE: Patients are stratified by number of prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens, prior radiotherapy, and HIV/AIDS status. Patients receive bleomycin by continuous infusion for 72 hours every 3 weeks. Induction therapy consists of 3 cycles. Patients who achieve complete remission receive 2 more cycles. Patients with partial remission or stable disease may continue therapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. Quality of life assessments are conducted at beginning of therapy, every 3 weeks, and at completion of treatment. Patients are followed every 3 months for overall survival.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 32 patients will be accrued.