Pilot Trial of Hyper-CVAD and Methotrexate/ARA C+ Rituximab in Patients With Previously Untreated Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Newly diagnosed, previously untreated, biopsy proven Stage III/IV or bulky Stage II mantle cell lymphoma of either nodular, diffuse, mantle zone or blastic subtype; No prior radiation therapy or chemotherapy for lymphoma; No prior treatment with a monoclonal antibody; Adequate diagnostic specimen available for pathology review (needle aspirations or cytologies are not adequate); Serum bilirubin < or = 1.5 mg/dl; serum creatinine < or =2.0 mg/dl; Creatinine clearance >50 ml/min; ANC > or = 1,000/mm3 and platelets > or =100,000/mm3; Cardiac ejection fraction >/=50%; EKG with no significant abnormalities; Bidimensionally measurable disease; No known hypersensitivity to E. Coli derived proteins; Willing to receive transfusions of blood products; No pregnant or nursing women; PS 0-2; No known AIDS syndrome or HIV associated complex; Between the ages of 18 and 70.