Trial of Outpatient Immunotherapy With Rituximab and Aldesleukin (IL-2) vs. Rituximab Alone for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

A patient will be eligible for inclusion in this study if s/he meets all of the following criteria:

* Has previously undergone BEAC or BEAM autologus SCT with PBSC rescue for any stage aggressive B-cell NHL, including transformed indolent NHL or mantle cell lymphoma according to REAL classification - only B-cell lymphomas are permitted.
* ECOG performance status 0-1.
* Previously histological documented CD20 +NHL.
* Is greater than 18 years of age.
* Is 30-100 days from autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant.
* Must meet laboratory values (see protocol for values): Absolute neutrophils, hemoglobin and platelets.
* Has a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to trial registration (only for female patients of childbearing potential).
* If fertile, patient (male or female) has agreed to use physician-approved method of birth control to avoid pregnancy for the duration of the study and for a period of 3 months thereafter.
* Has signed a Patient Informed Consent Form.
* Has signed a Patient Authorization Form (HIPAA).

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients will be taken off treatment if any of the following occur:

* ECOG PS \>2.
* A history of hypersensitivity to study drugs, or any component thereof, or anaphylactic history to murine protein.
* Manifested cardiac complications during transplant, including arrthymias, congestive heart failure, angina, or myocardial infarct, or had a decreased LVEF to \<45% prior to transplant
* On systemic corticosteroids.
* Diffusion capacity \<60% (corrected) and has decreased 30% or more following transplant
* Documented disease progression (See Section 10.1.6 for definition).
* Active infection, and/or is known to be seropositive for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV
* Pericardial effusion, pleural effusions, or ascites.
* A history of very aggressive NHL, such as Burkitt's or atypical Burkitt's lymphoma
* Receiving concurrent immunotherapy or rituximab therapy.
* Previously received a solid organ transplant.
* History of CNS involvement.
* A serious uncontrolled intercurrent medical or psychiatric illness, including serious infection
* A history of other malignancy within the last 5 years (except cured basal cell carcinoma of skin and carcinoma in situ of uterine cervix), which could affect the diagnosis or assessment of any of the study drugs.
* A pregnant or nursing woman.
* Unable to comply with requirements of study.