Bryostatin 1 Plus Cladribine in Treating Patients With Relapsed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Diagnosis of relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• •* Intermediate- or high-risk (stage I-IV) disease
• •Intermediate-risk patients must have active disease, defined by at least 1 of the following criteria:
• •* Presence of any 1 of the following disease-related B symptoms:
• •* 10% or more loss of body weight within the past 6 months
• •* Extreme fatigue
• •* Fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit without evidence of infection
• •* Night sweats
• •* Massive (greater than 6 cm below left costal margin) or progressive splenomegaly
• •* Massive (greater than 10 cm in longest diameter) or progressive lymphadenopathy
• •* Progressive lymphocytosis with an increase of more than 50% over a 2-month period or anticipated doubling time of less than 12 months
• •* Progressive bone marrow failure as manifested by the development or worsening of anemia and/or thrombocytopenia
• •* Autoimmune anemia and/or thrombocytopenia poorly responsive to corticosteroids
• •Failed 1-2 prior front-line regimens
• •Failed prior fludarabine
• •Ineligible for any known treatment of higher potential efficacy
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Age:
• •18 and over
• •Performance status:
• •Zubrod 0-2
• •Life expectancy:
• •At least 12 weeks
• •Hematopoietic:
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm\^3
• •Platelet count at least 50,000/mm\^3
• •Hepatic:
• •Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL
• •Transaminases less than 2.5 times normal
• •Renal:
• •Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL OR
• •Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• •Cardiovascular:
• •No history of severe coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, uncontrolled congestive heart failure, or arrhythmias
• •Neurologic:
• •No prior drug-related neurotoxicity
• •No other neurologic disorder
• •Other:
• •Not pregnant or nursing
• •Fertile patients must use effective barrier or non-hormonal contraception during and for 2 months after study participation
• •No HIV infection
• •No AIDS
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •Biologic therapy:
• •No prior bone marrow transplantation
• •Chemotherapy:
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (8 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosoureas) and recovered
• •Endocrine therapy:
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •No concurrent steroids
• •No concurrent hormonal contraceptives
• •Radiotherapy:
• •At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• •Surgery:
• •Not specified
• •Other:
• •No other concurrent therapy