Flavopiridol in Treating Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Inclusion Criteria:

Histologically diagnosed intermediate risk (stage I or II) or high risk (stage III or IV) refractory B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Intermediate risk group must have evidence of active disease as shown by at least one of the following:

Massive or progressive splenomegaly and/or lymphadenopathy
Weight loss of greater than 10% in the last 6 months
CALGB grade 2-4 fatigue
Fevers greater than 100.5 degree Fahrenheit OR night sweats for greater than2 weeks without evidence of infection
Progressive lymphocytosis with an increase greater than 50% over a 2 month period or an anticipated doubling time of less than 6 months
Refractory to fludarabine treatment OR relapsed within 6 months of fludarabine
Lymphocytosis greater than 5000/mm3 at some time during disease
Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN
Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
No more than 1 prior nonradiolabeled antibody treatment (e.g., Campath-1H or rituximab)
At least 1, but no more than 3, prior chemotherapy regimens
At least 1 prior chemotherapy regimen comprising fludarabine
No other concurrent chemotherapy
No concurrent chronic use of oral corticosteroids
No concurrent hormone therapy except for non-disease related conditions
No concurrent dexamethasone or other corticosteroid-based antiemetics
No concurrent palliative radiotherapy