Homoharringtonine in Treating Patients With Refractory Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia confirmed morphologically and by t(15;17) translocation or molecular polymerase chain reaction Refractory to tretinoin, anthracyclines, and arsenic-based therapy (including arsenic trioxide) and for which no other alternative therapy of higher priority is appropriate PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 12 and over Performance status: Zubrod 0-3 Life expectancy: More than 4 weeks Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL ALT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease No active ischemia No other uncontrolled cardiac condition (e.g., angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, or congestive heart failure) No myocardial infarction within the past 12 weeks Other: No other concurrent illness that would preclude study No other active malignancy No uncontrolled active infection No clinically significant screening serum chemistry results unless attributed to acute promyelocytic leukemia No medical or psychiatric condition that would preclude informed consent or study therapy HIV negative HTLV-I and HTLV-II negative Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Prior or concurrent leukapheresis allowed Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 15 days since prior systemic chemotherapy unless leukemia progression necessitates early therapy No other concurrent systemic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified Other: Recovered from prior therapy At least 15 days since other prior antileukemic therapy unless leukemia progression necessitates early therapy No other concurrent antileukemic therapy