SJG-136 in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Blastic Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of SJG-136 in treating patients with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, blastic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia, or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as SJG-136, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.

OBJECTIVES:

I. Establish the maximum tolerated dose of SJG-136 in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myelogenous leukemia in blastic phase (CML-BP), or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

II. Determine dose-limiting toxicities and pharmacokinetics of this drug in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study.

Patients receive SJG-136 IV over 15 minutes on days 1-5. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression.

Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of SJG-136 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. A total of 10 patients are treated at the MTD.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of 1 of the following hematologic malignancies:

  * Acute myeloid leukemia
  * Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  * Myelodysplastic syndromes
  * Chronic myelogenous leukemia in blastic phase
  * Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
* Relapsed or refractory disease
* No immediately available, potentially curable options (e.g., stem cell transplantation) available
* Bilirubin normal (unless elevated due to Gilbert's syndrome)
* HIV positivity allowed provided CD4 counts are normal with no AIDS-defining disease
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* No uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, any of the following:

  * Ongoing or active infection
  * Symptomatic congestive heart failure
  * Unstable angina pectoris
  * Cardiac arrhythmia
  * Psychiatric illness or social situations that would limit study compliance
* Recovered from prior therapy
* ECOG performance status =\< 2
* SGOT and SGPT =\< 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Creatinine normal OR creatinine clearance \>= 60 mL/min
* Primary resistance (i.e., failed to achieve a complete remission \[CR\] to a standard induction regimen) or relapsed after achievement of a CR.
* Must have documented failure to last cytotoxic regimen prior to study entry.
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

* No known CNS disease
* No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to SJG-136
* More than 7 days since radiotherapy
* No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients
* No other anti-leukemia agents except hydroxyurea =\< 5 grams/day =\< 14 days prior to and during first course of treatment to control blood counts