Oblimersen and Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin in Treating Older Patients With Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed CD33+ acute myeloid leukemia (AML) In first relapse from chemotherapy Complete response lasting at least 3 months before relapse No CNS leukemia No secondary leukemia or history of antecedent hematologic disorder prior to initial onset of AML (e.g., myelodysplasia) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 60 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC less than 30,000/mm^3 No bleeding or coagulation disorder except disease-related disseminated intravascular coagulation Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL PT and PTT no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal OR INR no greater than 1.3 No history of chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled congestive heart failure No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Pulmonary: No severe pulmonary disease Other: HIV negative No other concurrent medical disease that would preclude study entry No known hypersensitivity to phosphorothioate-containing oligonucleotides, gemtuzumab ozogamicin or any of its components, E. coli protein, or any product produced in E. coli No other concurrent malignancy No known human anti-human antibodies No uncontrolled seizure disorder No active uncontrolled infection Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplantation No prior therapy with an anti-CD33 antibody (e.g., gemtuzumab ozogamicin or M195) Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 2 weeks since prior cancer chemotherapy except intrathecal chemotherapy or hydroxyurea Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 2 weeks since prior systemic radiotherapy Surgery: At least 2 weeks since prior major surgery No prior organ allograft Other: At least 3 weeks since prior antileukemic therapy and recovered No other concurrent investigational therapy No concurrent immunosuppressive therapy