Interferon Alfa in Treating Children With HIV-Related Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically proven malignancy diagnosed at any time following confirmation of HIV-positivity, including the following:

  • Leukemia
  • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • CNS lymphoma
  • Other solid tumors
• Measurable disease

• Concurrent registration on protocol POG-9182 required

  • Confirmed HIV-positive by POG-9182 criteria
  • Required biology studies completed

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 21 and under

Performance status:

• Not specified

Life expectancy:

• More than 4 weeks

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 (unless bone marrow involvement present)

Hepatic:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Bilirubin less than 1.5 times normal
• SGPT and SGOT less than 2 times normal (may discuss with Study Coordinator)

Renal:

• Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

• Adequate cardiac function by echocardiogram/MUGA scan

Other:

• Chronically infected patients must be stable enough to meet life expectancy requirement

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• No prior interferon for cancer
• Prior interferon alfa for viral infections (i.e., hepatitis) must be discussed with Study Coordinator

Chemotherapy:

• At least 1 week since prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• At least 1 week since prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• Prior antiretroviral therapy allowed
• At least 1 week since prior acute treatment for any serious or life-threatening infection
• No concurrent local treatment unless discussed with the Study Coordinator
• No concurrent acute treatment for any serious or life-threatening infection
• Concurrent antiretroviral therapy allowed