Imatinib Mesylate Plus Cytarabine in Treating Patients With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Cytogenetically confirmed chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Less than 15% blasts in peripheral blood or bone marrow
Less than 30% blasts and promyelocytes in peripheral blood or bone marrow
Less than 20% basophils in blood or bone marrow
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
Philadelphia chromosome positive
No more than 6 months since initial diagnosis
No presence of leukemia beyond the bone marrow, blood, liver, or spleen (i.e., chloroma)
Refused allogeneic stem cell transplantation as first-line therapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Performance status:

Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0-2

Life expectancy:

Not specified

Hematopoietic:

See Disease Characteristics

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
AST or ALT no greater than 2 times ULN

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Cardiovascular:

No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease

Other:

Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for at least 3 months after study participation
No other serious uncontrolled medical condition
No history of noncompliance to medical regimens or potential unreliability

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

See Disease Characteristics
No prior biologic therapy for CML

Chemotherapy:

No prior chemotherapy for CML except hydroxyurea
Concurrent hydroxyurea to control blood counts during first 3 months of treatment allowed
No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

No prior endocrine therapy for CML

Radiotherapy:

No prior radiotherapy for CML

Surgery:

Not specified

Other:

More than 28 days since prior investigational anticancer agents
Prior anagrelide hydrochloride for CML allowed
Concurrent anagrelide hydrochloride to control blood counts during first 3 months of treatment allowed
No concurrent grapefruit juice or grapefruit