A Randomized Study Comparing Chemotherapy Followed by G-CSF Alone Versus G-CSF Plus GM-CSF for Mobilization of Peripheral Blood Stem Cells in Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are synthetic (man-made) versions of substances naturally produced in your body. These substances, called colony stimulating factors, help the bone marrow to make new white blood cells. When certain cancer medicines fight your cancer cells, they also affect those white blood cells that fight infection. To help decrease the risk of infections when these cancer medicines are used, colony stimulating factors may be given. Colony stimulating factors are also used to help the bone marrow recover after bone marrow transplantation and stem cell transplantation. They are also used to increase the stem cell count in the blood so that adequate number of stem cells can be collected for purposes of transplantation.

Before the study begins, you will have a complete physical exam and have blood (around 1-2 tablespoons) and urine collected for routine tests. You will have x-rays and CT scans to check on the status of the disease. A sample of bone marrow will be collected for tests. To collect a bone marrow sample, an area of the hip or chest bone is numbed with anesthetic and a small amount of bone marrow is withdrawn through a large needle. Your heart and lung function will be evaluated. You will have an electrocardiogram (ECG - a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart) and either a echocardiogram or a multigated acquisition scan (MUGA) (these are tests that measure heart functions). You will also have lung function tests. Women who are able to have children must have a negative blood or urine pregnancy test.

You will have a plastic tube (central venous catheter - CVL) inserted under your collarbone. The CVL will be left in place for the duration of the treatment. The catheter will be used to deliver most of the drugs and for the collection and transfusion of the stem cells. When possible, all drugs that need to be given by vein will be given using the catheter.

All treatment will be given at M. D. Anderson. First, you will be given chemotherapy to increase the number of stem cells in your blood stream. This chemotherapy will include the drugs ifosfamide, etoposide, and rituximab. You will receive a higher dose of rituximab than is standard of care. The drug ifosfamide will be started on Day 2 and will be given as a continuous injection into a vein over 72 hours. The drug etoposide will also be started on Day 2 and will be given by vein over 2 hours every 12 hours. Rituximab will be given by vein over 4-6 hours on Days 1 and 8. To help decrease the risk of developing side effects caused by the chemotherapy, you will be given fluids by vein and a drug called mesna. Mesna will be given by vein over 24 hours after treatment with ifosfamide is finished. You will have to stay in the hospital for 4-6 days for this part of the treatment.

You will be randomly assigned (as in the toss of a coin) to one of two treatment groups. Participants in one group will receive G-CSF and GM-CSF. Participants in the other group will receive G-CSF alone.