DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Primary amyloidosis diagnosed by appropriate amyloid stains or electromicroscopy of abdominal fat, bone marrow, or other target tissues

  • Pathology reviewed by Temple University
• Amyloidosis secondary to any stage of multiple myeloma allowed provided plasma cell concentration in bone marrow is less than 15%
• No amyloidosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis or chronic infection
• No familial amyloidosis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 16 to 65

Performance status:

• Karnofsky 80-100%

Hematopoietic:

• Not specified

Hepatic:

• Liver function tests less than twice normal
• No active liver disease

Renal:

• Creatinine clearance greater than 50 mL/min
• Nephrotic syndrome allowed

Cardiovascular:

• Cardiac evaluation required in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 45% by echocardiogram or MUGA
• No poorly controlled hypertension

Pulmonary:

• FEV_1 and DLCO greater than 50% of predicted, or pulmonary evaluation required
• No chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Other:

• No history of serious coagulopathy, hemorrhage, or bleeding
• No active infection
• No other serious comorbid disease (e.g., poorly controlled diabetes)
• No pregnant women
• Adequate contraception required of fertile women

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• More than 12 monthly cycles of prior alkylating agent chemotherapy discouraged

Endocrine therapy:

• Corticosteroids discontinued at least 6 weeks prior to transplantation

Radiotherapy:

• No prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Not specified