Phenylbutyrate and Tretinoin in Treating Patients With Hematologic Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)

Refractory anemia
Primary refractory leukopenia or thrombocytopenia with morphologic features of MDS
Refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB)
Refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts
RAEB in transformation

Must have excess blasts or be hematopoietically compromised, defined as one of the following:

RBC transfusion dependent
Granulocyte count less than 1,000/mm^3
Platelet count less than 50,000/mm^3 OR

Diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

Hematopoietically compromised (as defined above) OR
Excess blasts OR
Evaluable disease related symptomatology (organomegaly or leukemia cutis) OR

Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia

WBC less than 20,000/mm^3 and stable for at least 2 weeks
Unlikely to require cytotoxic therapy during study
No CNS or pulmonary leukostasis or CNS leukemia

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Performance status:

Zubrod 0-2

Life expectancy:

Not specified

Hematopoietic:

See Disease Characteristics
Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL (transfusion allowed)
No disseminated intravascular coagulation

Hepatic:

Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL (unless due to hemolysis or Gilbert's syndrome)

Renal:

Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL

Other:

Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception for 2 weeks prior, during, and for 3 months after study
No active infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 3 weeks since prior biologic therapy, including hematopoietic growth factors, and recovered

Chemotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 3 weeks (1 month for MDS patients) since prior chemotherapy and recovered

Endocrine therapy:

Not specified

Radiotherapy:

At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

Not specified