OBJECTIVES: * Determine the objective response in patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia treated with alemtuzumab. * Determine the time to treatment failure in patients treated with this drug. * Determine the toxicity of this drug in these patients. OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients receive alemtuzumab IV over 2 hours on days 1, 3, and 5 of weeks 1-6 (course 1) in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with a complete response undergo observation. Patients with stable disease or a minor or partial response receive an additional course of alemtuzumab, administered as in course 1, on weeks 7-12. Patients are followed every 6 months for 2 years. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 13-27 patients will be accrued for this study.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma) * Immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgG, and IgA paraprotein * Measurable monoclonal paraprotein * Failed at least 1 prior first-line therapy (alkylator agent, nucleoside analogue, or rituximab) * CD52-positive tumor determined by either bone marrow immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * Over 18 Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * At least 6 months Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 25,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * SGOT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Bilirubin ≤ 2.5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine ≤ 2.5 mg/dL (\> 2.5 mg/dL allowed if due to disease) Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective double-method contraception during and for 6 months after study participation * No serious comorbid disease * No uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, or viral infection * No other active malignancy PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * See Disease Characteristics * No prior alemtuzumab * More than 3 months since other prior monoclonal antibody therapy Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * More than 21 days since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * More than 21 days since prior steroid therapy Radiotherapy * More than 21 days since prior radiotherapy Surgery * Not specified