Imatinib Mesylate and 17-N-Allylamino-17-Demethoxygeldanamycin in Treating Patients With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

RATIONALE: Imatinib mesylate may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for cancer cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy such as 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin use different ways to stop cancer cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining imatinib mesylate with chemotherapy may kill more cancer cells.

PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin when given together with imatinib mesylate in treating patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

OBJECTIVES:

* Determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity of 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) when administered with imatinib mesylate in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia.
* Determine the pharmacokinetics of this regimen in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is an open-label, nonrandomized, multicenter, dose-escalation study of 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG).

Patients receive oral imatinib mesylate on days 1-21 and 17-AAG IV over 1 hour on days 1, 4, 8, and 12. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of 17-AAG until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 3 or 2 of 6 patients experience dose-limiting toxicity. Once the MTD is determined, an additional cohort of 6-10 patients receives treatment at the recommended phase II dose.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 21-42 patients will be accrued for this study within 1.5 years.

Eligibility Criteria:
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia, including any of the following phases:

  * Blastic phase

    * Greater than 30% blasts in the peripheral blood or bone marrow
    * Previously untreated disease OR refractory to or relapsed after most recent therapy
  * Accelerated phase, defined by 1 of the following:

    * At least 15, but less than 30%, blasts in the peripheral blood or bone marrow
    * At least 30% blasts and promyelocytes in the peripheral blood or bone marrow
    * Greater than 20% peripheral blood basophilia
  * Chronic phase

    * No major cytogenetic response (less than 65% Philadelphia chromosome negative) after 12 months of prior imatinib mesylate therapy
* Philadelphia chromosome positive by routine cytogenetics

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

* 18 and over

Performance status

* ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy

* At least 3 months

Hematopoietic

* Not specified

Hepatic

* Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
* ALT and AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal

Renal

* Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL

Cardiovascular

* No symptomatic congestive heart failure
* No unstable angina pectoris
* No cardiac arrhythmia

Other

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* No known allergy to eggs
* Able to swallow pills
* No ongoing or active infection
* No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
* No other concurrent uncontrolled medical illness

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

* No prior stem cell transplantation

Chemotherapy

* More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (except hydroxyurea or anagrelide) (at least 6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin)

Endocrine therapy

* Not specified

Radiotherapy

* More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy

Surgery

* No prior liver, kidney, or lung transplantation
* More than 14 days since prior major surgery (e.g., thoracotomy or intra-abdominal surgery)

Other

* Prior imatinib mesylate administered within the past 4 weeks is allowed
* No concurrent tacrolimus or cyclosporine as immunosuppressive agents
* No other concurrent investigational agents
* No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients
* No concurrent agents that alter CYP3A4 activity, including any of the following:

  * Grapefruit juice
  * Ketoconazole
  * Fluconazole
  * Itraconazole
  * Erythromycin
  * Clarithromycin
  * Cimetidine
  * Terfenadine
  * Astemizole
  * HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir and nelfinavir)