Chemotherapy and Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation Followed by Immunotherapy in Treating Patients With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia based on clinical features and molecular evidence for bcr/abl gene rearrangement First or second chronic phase at the time of stem cell collection Ineligible for allogeneic transplantation Should receive interferon alfa (IFN-A) with or without low-dose cytarabine for at least 3-6 months before autotransplantation and meet one of the following conditions: After 3 months of IFN-A, hematologic response is partial or less and poor clinical feature was present at diagnosis After 6 months of IFN-A, hematologic response is partial or complete (but 100% Ph+) and poor clinical feature was present at diagnosis After 9 or 12 months of IFN-A, no cytogenetic response occurred (100% Ph+), regardless of pretreatment clinical features After at least 12 months of IFN-A (or on 2 separate tests, 3 months apart), only minor cytogenetic response (35-90% Ph+) occurred, then eligible for ex vivo expanded autologous T cells only (without high-dose chemotherapy or autografting) or high-dose therapy plus autographing at physicians' discretion After at least 12 months of IFN-A (or on 2 tests, 3 months apart), major but not complete cytogenetic response (0-34% Ph+) occurred, then eligible for ex vivo expanded autologous T cells only (without high-dose chemotherapy or autografting) After at least 18 months of IFN-A, complete cytogenetic response (0% Ph+) occurred but remain positive for BCR/ABL gene rearrangement then eligible for ex vivo expanded autologous T cells only (without high-dose chemotherapy or autografting) Unsatisfactory response to prior STI571 allowed (regardless of prior IFN-A) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (unless due to Gilbert's disease) AST and ALT no greater than 2 times ULN (unless liver involvement with CML) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: LVEF at least 45% (lower allowed if no significant functional impairment) Pulmonary: FEV_1, FVC, and DLCO at least 50% predicted Other: No active infections requiring IV antibiotics HIV negative Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 1 month since prior interferon Chemotherapy: At least 1 week since hydroxyurea before leukapheresis Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified