Sargramostim in Treating Patients With Chronic Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Who Are Not in Complete Cytogenetic Remission Following Initial Treatment

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Presence of t(9;22)(q34;q11) with at least 20 cells examined in metaphase by cytogenetic examination of the bone marrow

Complete hematologic remission during prior therapy* as seen on 2 separate blood count analyses, defined by the following:

WBC no greater than 10,000/mm^3 AND platelet count no greater than 450,000/mm^3
Disappearance of all signs and symptoms of disease, including palpable splenomegaly
Normal differential counts (i.e., absence of blasts, promyelocytes, myelocytes, and metamyelocytes) NOTE: *Continuation of therapy that led to complete hematologic remission is required during study participation
Persistent cytogenetic disease despite 12 months of prior imatinib mesylate therapy, which may have included a trial dose-escalation OR intolerant of imatinib mesylate at a dose greater than 400 mg/day

Not in complete cytogenetic remission within 30 days of study entry

Persistent Philadelphia chromosome by bone marrow exam

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

18 and over

Performance status

ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy

More than 6 months

Hematopoietic

See Disease Characteristics

Hepatic

Not specified

Renal

Not specified

Other

Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
No uncontrolled active infective
No serious medical or psychiatric illness that would prevent giving informed consent or limit survival to less than 6 months
No other malignancy not in remission except curatively treated basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

Prior sargramostim (GM-CSF) allowed
Prior interferon alfa for CML allowed
No prior stem cell transplantation
Concurrent interferon alfa* for CML allowed NOTE: *No dose increase during study participation

Chemotherapy

At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

Not specified

Radiotherapy

At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery

At least 4 weeks since prior surgery

Other

Prior imatinib mesylate for CML allowed
No other concurrent medication for CML
Concurrent imatinib mesylate* for CML allowed NOTE: *No dose increase during study participation