S0213 Chemotherapy Plus Rituximab in Treating Patients With Mantle Cell Lymphoma

OBJECTIVES: * Determine the 1-year progression-free survival probability in patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma treated with courses of rituximab and cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and dexamethasone alternating with courses of rituximab and high-dose cytarabine and methotrexate with leucovorin calcium. * Determine the response rate (complete unconfirmed and complete and partial responses) and survival of patients treated with this regimen. * Determine the toxicity of this regimen in these patients. * Correlate chromosomal breakpoints, translocated immunoglobulin regulatory sequences, and cyclins D1, D2, and D3 with response and progression-free survival in patients treated with this regimen. * Correlate gene expression (measured by DNA microarray analysis) with response and progression-free survival in patients treated with this regimen. OUTLINE: This is a pilot, multicenter study. * Courses 1, 3, 5, and 7: Patients receive rituximab IV on day 1 (courses 1, 3, and 5 only); cyclophosphamide IV over 3 hours twice a day on days 2-4; doxorubicin IV over 24 hours on days 5-7; vincristine IV on days 5 and 12; dexamethasone orally or IV four times a day on days 2-5 and 12-15; and filgrastim (G-CSF) subcutaneously (SC) daily beginning on day 8 and continuing until blood counts recover. * Courses 2, 4, 6, and 8: Patients receive rituximab IV on day 1 (courses 2, 4, and 6 only); high-dose methotrexate IV over 24 hours on day 2; high-dose cytarabine IV over 2 hours twice a day on days 3-4; oral leucovorin calcium 4 times a day on days 3-10; and G-CSF SC daily beginning on day 5 and continuing until blood counts recover. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients are followed within 30 days, every 3 months for 2 years, and then every 6 months for 3 years. Patients with disease progression are followed annually for up to 5 years from study entry. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 50 patients will be accrued for this study within 25 months.