A Phase II Study of CLAG Regimen in Combination With Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec) in Refractory or Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia

In relapsed or resistant acute myeloid leukemia (type of blood cancer where immature blood cells are increased, blocking normal blood cells production) no standard therapy exits. Response rates are similar for different chemotherapy treatments. Allogenic stem cell transplant remains the only curative option

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of combined chemotherapy treatment (CLAG regimen) with Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec). The CLAG regimen is a combination of the chemotherapy drugs cladribine and cytarabine, as well as, neupogen which increases the white blood counts.

Imatinib Mesylate is believed to work by interfering with the abnormal protein by blocking it from telling the body to keep making more and more abnormal white blood cells. Imatinib Mesylate is approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and some types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Its use in combination with CLAG regimen is considered experimental for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia / CML blast crisis

The goal of the study is to find out what effects (good and bad) Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec)combined with chemotherapy (CLAG regimen) on acute myeloid leukemia.