Everolimus in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed relapsed or chemotherapy/immunotherapy-resistant mantle cell lymphoma

  * No more than 3 lines of prior systemic treatment
* At least one measurable lesion ≥ 15 mm in its greatest transverse diameter by CT scan

Exclusion criteria:

* Presence or history of CNS disease (either CNS lymphoma or lymphomatous meningosis)
* Newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma
* Patients suitable for intensive treatment (e.g., hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin hydrochloride and dexamethasone with high-dose methotrexate and cytarabine \[HyperCVAD\])

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

* WHO performance status ≤ 2
* Creatinine clearance ≥ 30mL/min
* Bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2 times ULN
* AST and ALT ≤ 2 times ULN
* Neutrophils ≥ 1,500/mm³ (≥ 1,000/mm³ with marrow infiltration)
* Thrombocytes ≥ 100,000/mm³ (≥ 75,000/mm³ in case of bone marrow infiltration)
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 12 months after study participation

Exclusion criteria:

* Prior or concurrent hematological malignancies

  * Patients with prior solid organ tumors that required no treatment over the last 5 years and are currently free of disease are eligible
* Cardiovascular disease including any of the following:

  * NYHA class III or IV congestive heart failure
  * Unstable angina pectoris
  * Significant arrhythmia or arrhythmia requiring chronic treatment
  * Myocardial infarction in the last 3 months
* Serious underlying medical condition which could impair the ability of the patient to participate in the trial including any of the following:

  * Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
  * Gastric ulcers
  * Active autoimmune disease
  * Ongoing infection (e.g., HIV or hepatitis)

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Exclusion criteria:

* Prior radiation where the indicator lesion(s) are in the irradiated field
* Prior organ transplantation
* Participation in another clinical trial within 30 days prior to study entry
* Concurrent anticancer drugs/treatments or experimental medications
* Other concurrent investigational therapy
* Other concurrent chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy (including palliative radiotherapy)