Decitabine and FR901228 in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, or Myeloproliferative Disorders

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed diagnosis of 1 of the following hematologic malignancies: Acute myeloid leukemia Previously untreated patients > 60 years of age who are not eligible for front-line therapy are eligible for this study Acute lymphoblastic leukemia Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) Documented hematologic resistance to imatinib mesylate OR no cytogenetic response after 12 months of prior treatment with imatinib mesylate Philadelphia chromosome-negative CML allowed provided disease is resistant to standard therapy (e.g., hydroxyurea) OR disease progressed (blasts > 5% and platelet count < 100,000/mm^3) during standard therapy Myelodysplastic syndromes International Prognostic Scoring System risk category ≥ intermediate-1 Patients who are not eligible for front-line therapy are eligible for this study Myeloproliferative disease Chronic lymphocytic leukemia Failed or progressed during ≥ 1 prior fludarabine-based therapy AND alemtuzmab Acute promyelocytic leukemia Progressed after prior treatment with standard chemotherapy, tretinoin, and arsenic trioxide Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia Resistant to standard therapy (e.g., hydroxyurea) OR disease progressed (blasts > 5% and platelet count < 100,000/mm^3) during standard therapy Relapsed or refractory disease No known brain or meningeal disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age Over 18 Performance status ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy More than 8 weeks Hepatic Bilirubin < 2 mg/dL AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal Creatinine < 2 mg/dL Cardiovascular QTc < 500 msec LVEF > 40% by MUGA No New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure No myocardial infarction within the past year No uncontrolled dysrhythmias No uncontrolled angina No left ventricular hypertrophy by EKG No history of serious ventricular arrhythmia (e.g., ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation ≥ 3 beats in a row) No other significant cardiac disease Immunologic No history of allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to study drugs No ongoing or active infection No HIV positivity Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance No other uncontrolled illness PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Chemotherapy Recovered from prior chemotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) unless there is evidence of rapidly progressive disease Radiotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Other No concurrent agents that cause QTc prolongation No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies for the malignancy No concurrent hydrochlorothiazide Concurrent potassium-conserving combinations (e.g., Maxide® or Dyazide®) or other antihypertensive agents allowed