A Phase II Study of Epratuzumab, Rituximab (ER)-CHOP for Patients With Previously Untreated Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as epratuzumab and rituximab, can block cancer growth in different ways. Some block the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Others find cancer cells and help kill them or carry cancer-killing substances to them. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving monoclonal antibody therapy together with chemotherapy may kill more cancer cells.> PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving monoclonal antibody therapy together with combination chemotherapy works in treating patients with stage II, stage III, or stage IV diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.