Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) Must have received
autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation for AML within the past 28 to 100 days
Evidence of marrow engraftment Absolute neutrophil count at least 500/mm3 for at least 2
consecutive days Platelet count at least 20,000/mm3 without transfusion support for more
than 3 days Documented M1 or M2 bone marrow within the past 7 days

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Under 22 at diagnosis Performance status: Karnofsky 50-100%
Life expectancy: At least 8 weeks Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Hepatic:
Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL SGPT no greater than 2 times normal Renal: Creatinine
normal OR Glomerular filtration rate at least 70 mL/min Cardiovascular: Shortening
fraction at least 27% OR Ejection fraction greater than 50% No evidence of active cardiac
disease by electrocardiogram Pulmonary: No evidence of active pulmonary disease by chest
x-ray Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use
effective contraception Neurologic deficits due to CNS disease must be stable within the
past 4 weeks No active viral, bacterial, or invasive fungal infection No fever No prior
hypersensitivity to interleukin-2 No greater than grade 2 mucosal toxicity

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 3 days
since prior growth factors or intravenous immunoglobulin No concurrent cytokines or growth
factors No concurrent intravenous immunoglobulin Chemotherapy: No concurrent chemotherapy
No concurrent methotrexate IV or intrathecally Endocrine therapy: At least 3 days since
prior corticosteroids No concurrent corticosteroids (except as premedication for
documented severe transfusion reactions) Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not
specified Other: At least 3 days since prior pentoxifylline or amphotericin B No
concurrent pentoxifylline No other concurrent anticancer therapy