Anti-Thymocyte Globulin and Etanercept in Treating Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndromes

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) Low- or intermediate-1-risk disease, as defined by International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) criteria, meeting 1 of the following criteria: Single or multilineage cytopenia, as defined by all of the following: Absolute neutrophil count < 1,500/mm^3 Hemoglobin < 10 g/dL Platelet count < 100,000/mm^3 Transfusion requirement of ≥ 2 units of packed red blood cells within an 8-week period Not eligible for stem cell transplantation due to any of the following reasons: No suitable bone marrow donor available Not eligible for a transplantation protocol Not willing to undergo transplantation No intermediate-2- or high-risk MDS No chronic myelomonocytic leukemia PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status Not specified Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic See Disease Characteristics Hepatic Not specified Renal Not specified Pulmonary No pneumonia within the past 2 weeks Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other severe disease that would preclude study compliance No other active severe infection (e.g., septicemia) within the past 2 weeks PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy More than 4 weeks since prior and no concurrent hematopoietic growth factors for MDS More than 4 weeks since prior immunomodulatory therapy for MDS No prior anti-thymocyte globulin No prior hematopoietic stem cell transplantation No other concurrent immunomodulatory therapy for MDS Chemotherapy Not specified Endocrine therapy Prednisone < 5 mg/day allowed Radiotherapy Not specified Surgery Not specified Other More than 4 weeks since prior and no concurrent cytotoxic therapy for MDS More than 4 weeks since prior experimental therapy for MDS No other concurrent experimental therapy for MDS