3-AP and Cytarabine in Treating Patients With Hematologic Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of 1 of the following hematologic malignancies: Acute myeloid leukemia Acute lymphoblastic leukemia Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) CML in blast crisis Chronic lymphocytic leukemia High-risk* myelodysplastic syndromes, including the following: Refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB) RAEB in transformation Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia NOTE: *High-risk myelodysplasia defined as having an International Performance Scoring System score of at least 1.5, based on adverse cytogenetics, greater than 10% blasts in marrow, and cytopenias in at least 2 lineages Relapsed or refractory disease Ineligible for higher priority protocols PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy More than 2 months Hematopoietic See Disease Characteristics Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL (unless considered due to malignancy) ALT or AST no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal Chronic hepatitis allowed Renal Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL (unless considered due to malignancy) Cardiovascular No myocardial infarction within the past 3 months No symptomatic coronary artery disease No arrhythmias (other than atrial fibrillation or flutter) requiring treatment No uncontrolled congestive heart failure Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception Concurrent infections under active treatment with and controlled by antibiotics allowed No other concurrent life-threatening illness No mental deficit or psychiatric history that would preclude giving informed consent or complying with protocol PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy At least 1 week since prior growth factors, including the following: Epoetin alfa Filgrastim (G-CSF) Sargramostim (GM-CSF) Interleukin-3 Interleukin-11 No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy Chemotherapy At least 72 hours since prior hydroxyurea Recovered from prior chemotherapy No other concurrent anticancer chemotherapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy Surgery Not specified Other At least 3 weeks since prior myelosuppressive cytotoxic agents (in the absence of rapidly progressing disease) At least 1 week since prior nonmyelosuppressive therapy No other concurrent standard or investigational therapy for the malignancy