OBJECTIVES:~Primary~Determine the toxic effects of BL22 immunotoxin in pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory CD22-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.~Determine the maximum tolerated dose of this drug in these patients.~Determine the immunogenicity of this drug in these patients.~Determine the pharmacokinetics of this drug in these patients.~Secondary~Determine the in vitro cytotoxicity of this drug against lymphoblasts from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.~Determine the therapeutic efficacy of this drug in inducing remissions in these patients.~Determine changes in lymphocyte subsets, immunoglobulin levels, serum cytokines, and soluble cytokine receptor levels in patients treated with this drug.~OUTLINE: This is a non-randomized, dose-escalation study.~Patients receive BL22 immunotoxin IV over 30 minutes on days 1, 3, and 5 OR on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients who achieve a complete response (CR) or unconfirmed CR (CRu) receive 2 additional courses beyond CR or CRu for a maximum of 6 courses.~Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of BL22 immunotoxin until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 3 or 2 of 6 patients experience dose-limiting toxicity. Once the MTD is determined, the cohort is expanded and a total of 12 patients are treated at that dose.~Patients are followed weekly for at least 1 month and then every 1-3 months thereafter.~PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 95 patients will be accrued for this study.
RATIONALE: BL22 immunotoxin can locate tumor cells and kill them without harming normal cells. BL22 immunotoxin may be effective in treating relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.~PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of BL22 immunotoxin in treating young patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.