DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma)

  • Immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgG, and IgA paraprotein
  • Measurable monoclonal paraprotein
• Failed at least 1 prior first-line therapy (alkylator agent, nucleoside analogue, or rituximab)
• CD52-positive tumor determined by either bone marrow immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• Over 18

Performance status

• ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy

• At least 6 months

Hematopoietic

• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 25,000/mm^3

Hepatic

• SGOT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Bilirubin ≤ 2.5 times ULN

Renal

• Creatinine ≤ 2.5 mg/dL (> 2.5 mg/dL allowed if due to disease)

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective double-method contraception during and for 6 months after study participation
• No serious comorbid disease
• No uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, or viral infection
• No other active malignancy

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior alemtuzumab
• More than 3 months since other prior monoclonal antibody therapy

Chemotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• More than 21 days since prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

• More than 21 days since prior steroid therapy

Radiotherapy

• More than 21 days since prior radiotherapy

Surgery

• Not specified