Caspofungin Acetate in Treating Children With Fever and Neutropenia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Immunocompromised with one or more of the following conditions: Leukemia, lymphoma, or other cancer Underwent bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation Aplastic anemia Planned chemotherapy likely to incur more than 10 days of neutropenia Absolute neutrophil count no greater than 500/mm^3 AND at least 1 recorded fever over 38.0 ° C within 24 hours of study No proven invasive fungal infection at time of study entry Superficial fungal infection (e.g., cutaneous fungal infection, thrush, or candidal vaginitis) treatable with topical antifungals allowed PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 2 to 17 Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: At least 5 days Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Hemodynamically stable with no hemodynamic compromise Hepatic: AST or ALT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 5 times ULN (unless related to bony metastases or other suspected bony processes) INR no greater than 1.6 (4.0 if receiving anticoagulants) No acute hepatitis or cirrhosis Renal: Not specified Other: Functioning central venous catheter in place No other condition or concurrent illness that would preclude study No prior allergy, hypersensitivity, or serious reaction to echinocandin antifungals HIV negative Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception other than or in addition to oral contraceptives PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified Other: No prior enrollment into this study No more than 48 hours since prior parenteral systemic antibacterial therapy for fever and neutropenia At least 14 days since prior investigational antibiotic or antifungal drugs Concurrent topical antifungals (i.e., nystatin and/or azole formulations) for a superficial fungal infection allowed No other concurrent investigational drugs, including antibiotics or antifungals No concurrent rifampin, cyclosporine, phenytoin, carbamazapine, phenobarbital, or other antifungal treatments (except fluconazole)