Combination Chemotherapy Followed By Antiviral Therapy and Interferon Alfa in Treating Patients With HTLV-1-Related Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed HTLV-1-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL)

  * Previously treated ATLL allowed
* CD3-positive
* Documented HTLV-1 infection by serologic assay (ELISA, Western blot)
* Measurable or evaluable disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 18 and over

Performance status:

* Karnofsky 50-100%

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm\^3\*
* Platelet count greater than 75,000/mm\^3\* NOTE: \*Unless cytopenia is secondary to ATLL

Hepatic:

* Transaminase less than 7 times upper limit of normal
* Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL (unless secondary to hepatic infiltration with lymphoma or isolated indirect hyperbilirubinemia associated with indinavir)

Renal:

* Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL (unless due to lymphoma)

Other:

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study completion
* No active opportunistic infection requiring acute therapy
* No untreated thyroid disease
* No autoimmune disease
* No uncontrolled significant psychiatric disease
* No other concurrent malignancy except carcinoma in situ of the cervix or non-metastatic nonmelanoma skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* At least 24 hours since prior hematologic growth factors

Chemotherapy:

* Not specified

Endocrine therapy:

* Not specified

Radiotherapy:

* Not specified

Surgery:

* Not specified

Other:

* Concurrent chronic therapy with potentially myelosuppressive agents allowed
* Other concurrent antiretroviral therapy for HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C infection (or other indication) allowed at investigator's discretion for patients receiving therapy prior to study initiation