Arsenic Trioxide in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) confirmed by: Cytogenetic testing demonstrating presence of t(9:22) OR RT-PCR demonstrating presence of BCR/ABL rearrangement Chronic phase Blast count less than 15% OR Accelerated phase defined by 1 or more of the following: Blast count greater than 15% but less than 30% Blast count and promyelocytes greater than 30% Basophils greater than 20% Thrombocytopenia less than 100,000/mm3 not related to therapy Cytogenetic clonal evolution (13) OR Blastic phase Blast count greater than 30% OR Evidence of extramedullary blasts Relapse from or failure to achieve a major cytogenetic response to at least 1 course of standard anti-CML therapy including interferon alfa or cytotoxic chemotherapy Must have failed adequate trial of interferon alfa unless intolerance to or contraindication to interferon alfa Not eligible for allogeneic stem cell transplant PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 months after study No active serious infections that are not controlled by antibiotics PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior interferon alfa Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (1 day for hydroxyurea) No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concurrent investigational agents