A Phase II Trial of 506U78 (IND 52611) in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Non T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)

- FAB class L1-L2

- Non-T-cell ALL (lymphocytic immunophenotype markers CD19+, CD5-, and CD7- in
peripheral blood, bone marrow, or in at least 1 extramedullary disease site)

- Coexpression of myeloid antigens CD13 or CD33 allowed

- Histologically confirmed extramedullary disease in the absence of bone marrow or
blood involvement allowed

- CD3 and myeloperoxidase marker negative

- Meeting 1 of the following criteria for recurrent/refractory disease:

- Refractory to standard induction regimen including at least vincristine and
prednisone

- Recurrence after response after prior induction therapy

- Recurrence and failure on subsequent treatment

- No CNS involvement

- Must be registered on SWOG-S9910 and SWOG-9007

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 16 and over

Performance status:

- Zubrod 0-3

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Not specified

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- SGOT or SGPT no greater than 3 times ULN

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No grade 2 or greater neuropathy

- No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal
cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any other
adequately treated stage I or II cancer in complete remission

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

- Not specified

Chemotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics

Endocrine therapy

- Not specified

Radiotherapy

- Not specified

Surgery

- Not specified