Beta Alethine in Treating Patients With Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Confirmed diagnosis of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia * Urine or serum protein electrophoresis showing a measurable monoclonal spike * Indolent disease not yet requiring therapy allowed * Positive delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response * Induration greater than 2 mm for at least 1 antigen * No clinical signs or evidence of active brain involvement or leptomeningeal disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy: * At least 4 months Hematopoietic: * Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 * Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic: * Albumin at least 3.5 g/dL * Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL * Transaminases no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: * No acute changes on EKG * No uncontrolled angina * No heart failure * No arrhythmia Other: * Adequate nutritional intake as evidenced by total protein at least 60 g/L * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No concurrent gastrointestinal bleed * No active bacterial infections such as abscess or with fistulae * HIV negative * No other concurrent non-malignant disease that would preclude study * No history of alcoholism, drug addiction, or psychotic disorders that would preclude follow-up PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * More than 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy * More than 4 weeks since prior cytokines * More than 4 weeks since prior plasmapheresis or plasma exchange * No prior stem cell or bone marrow transplant Chemotherapy: * More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas, mitomycin, or high-dose carboplatin) * No prior intensive chemotherapy with stem cell support Endocrine therapy: * More than 4 weeks since prior corticosteroids * No concurrent corticosteroids Radiotherapy: * More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy involving more than 25% of bone marrow Surgery: * Recovered from any prior surgery * No prior organ transplant Other: * No other concurrent investigational agent * No concurrent immunosuppressants * No concurrent anti-inflammatory agents including aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents