Oblimersen, Rituximab and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of oblimersen when given together with rituximab and combination chemotherapy and to see how well they work in treating patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab can locate cancer cells and either kill them or deliver cancer-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide, work in different ways to stop cancer cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Oblimersen may increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy by making cancer cells more sensitive to the drugs