Phase I Study of Immune Ablation and CD34+ Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Support in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- Diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus with 1 of the following malignant features: * Nephritis (WHO class III or IV) * Failed NIH short-course cyclophosphamide therapy * Vasculitis/immune complex deposition causing end organ signs or symptoms (e.g., cerebritis, transverse myelitis, pulmonary hemorrhage, cardiac failure, or renal failure) * Hematologic cytopenias that are immune mediated and uncontrolled by conservative measures with any of the following: Transfusion-dependent anemia with untransfused hemoglobin less than 8 g/dL Platelet count less than 40,000/mm3 (without transfusions) Granulocyte count less than 1,000/mm3 Catastrophic anti-phospholipid syndrome --Patient Characteristics-- Cardiovascular: * LVEF at least 35% * No lupus-induced myocarditis * No history of unstable angina Pulmonary: * FEV1/FVC at least 50% predicted * DLCO at least 50% predicted Other: * HIV negative * No prior or concurrent malignancy except localized basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer * No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * No medical illness that would preclude study * No psychiatric illness or mental deficiency that would preclude study * No known hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived proteins * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception