DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed diagnosis of 1 of the following:

  • Mantle cell lymphoma meeting the following criteria:

    • At least 1 prior systemic therapy

  • Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma meeting the following criteria:

    • At least 1 prior systemic therapy AND meets 1 of the following criteria:

      • Previously treated recurrent disease refractory to standard salvage therapy
      • Unsuitable for further aggressive salvage therapy after progression during or after initial standard adriamycin-based therapy
      • Eligible for stem cell transplantation (SCT) and achieved a complete response to salvage therapy patient must refuse SCT as an option prior to consideration for this study
    • No prior bortezomib
• Measurable disease, defined as ≥ 1 lesion > 1.0 cm in diameter in both the long and short axis, according to Revised Response Criteria for Malignant Lymphoma, as measured by spiral CT scan or physical exam

• Must have histological material available for pathologic review and correlative studies, including either of the following:

  • Archival specimens from previous biopsies
  • Specimens from repeat biopsy for histological confirmation in patients with lymphoma that has undergone histological transformation in the past
• No history of brain metastasis, including leptomeningeal metastasis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status 0-2
• Life expectancy > 3 months
• ANC ≥ 1.5 x 10^9/L
• CD4 count ≥ 0.5 x 10^9/L (must be specifically assayed only in patients with known HIV infection)
• Platelet count ≥ 75 x 10^9/L
• Total bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL
• AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal
• Creatinine normal OR creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception prior to and during study treatment
• Able to tolerate loperamide or other anti-diarrheal medications
• Able to take oral medications
• No neuropathy ≥ grade 2
• No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to bortezomib or vorinostat
• No medical or other condition (e.g., uncontrolled infection) that would represent an inappropriate risk to the patient or likely would compromise achievement of the primary study objective

• No QTc interval > 470 msec

  • Discontinuation of QTc-prolonging medications to eliminate this exclusion may be considered if medically appropriate
• Able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from prior treatment
• No prior histone deactylase inhibitor as cancer treatment
• No prior bortezomib
• No prior allogeneic stem cell transplantation
• More than 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy or large field radiotherapy
• No plan for other concurrent cancer treatment
• No concurrent investigational agent
• No concurrent treatment (e.g., marrow suppressive agents such as zidovidine) that would represent an inappropriate risk to the patient or likely would compromise achievement of the primary study objective