Phase II Trial of Rituximab in Combination With CHOP Chemotherapy in Patients With Previously Untreated Intermediate or High Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma Stage II, III, or IV disease B-cell where lymphoid cells are CD20 or CD19
positive No mantle cell, lymphoblastic, or peripheral T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Measurable or evaluable disease No prior treatment for lymphoma No known CNS metastases A
new classification scheme for adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been adopted by PDQ. The
terminology of "indolent" or "aggressive" lymphoma will replace the former terminology of
"low", "intermediate", or "high" grade lymphoma. However, this protocol uses the former
terminology.

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life
expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Unless documented bone marrow disease:
Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic:
SGOT and SGPT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin no greater than 1.5
mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No history of severe
heart disease, cardiomyopathy, or congestive heart failure LVEF normal by MUGA or
echocardiogram Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective
contraception No active infection as defined by: Clinical syndrome consistent with a viral
or bacterial infection (e.g., influenza, upper respiratory infection, urinary tract
infection) OR Fever with a clinical site of infection identified OR Microbiologically
documented infection, including, but not limited to, bacteremia or septicemia No known HIV
positivity No known sensitivity to E. coli derivatives (e.g., asparaginase, human insulin,
human growth hormone, interferon alfa-2b) No other prior malignancy within the past 5
years except surgically cured basal or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of
the cervix No psychiatric, addictive, or other disorder that may preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent
biologic therapy except epoetin alfa No white blood cell transfusions Chemotherapy: See
Disease Characteristics No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified
Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 2
weeks since prior major surgery Other: No other concurrent investigational therapy No
prophylactic antibiotics