Flavopiridol in Treating Patients With Previously Treated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia or Lymphocytic Lymphoma

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma, including Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, as indicated by the following:
• Massive or progressive splenomegaly and/or lymphadenopathy
• Anemia (hemoglobin less than 11 g/dL) or thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 100,000/mm^3)
• Weight loss of more than 10% within the past 6 months
• Grade 2 or 3 fatigue
• Fevers greater than 100.5º C or night sweats for more than 2 weeks with no evidence of infection
• Progressive lymphocytosis with an increase of more than 50% over a 2-month period or anticipated doubling time of less than 6 months
• Received at least 1 prior therapy for CLL
• Performance status - ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) 0-2
• See Disease Characteristics
• WBC (white blood count) less than 200,000/mm^3
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal (unless due to Gilbert's disease or any of the conditions stated below)*
• AST (aspartate aminotransferase) no greater than 2 times normal*
• Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other malignancy that would limit survival to less than 2 years
• No history of inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) unless inactive for more than 2 years
• No psychiatric condition that would preclude compliance with treatment or giving informed consent
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• No concurrent chronic corticosteroids
• No concurrent hormonal therapy except steroids for new adrenal failure or hormonal agents for nondisease-related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes)
• No concurrent dexamethasone or other corticosteroid-based antiemetics
• No concurrent radiotherapy