Alisertib in Treating Patients With Myelofibrosis or Relapsed or Refractory Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia

You may be eligible if

• AMKL PATIENTS: Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of relapsed/refractory acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL), as defined by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria
• AMKL PATIENTS: Patients must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status 0-2
• AMKL PATIENTS: Total bilirubin =\< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AMKL PATIENTS: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) =\< 2.5 x ULN
• AMKL PATIENTS: Creatinine \< 1.5 x ULN or calculated creatinine clearance \> 30 ml/min
• AMKL PATIENTS: Prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) =\< 1.5 x ULN
• AMKL PATIENTS: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1500/mm\^3
• AMKL PATIENTS: Platelets \>= 100,000/mm\^3
• AMKL PATIENTS: Hemoglobin \> 9 g/dL
• AMKL PATIENTS: Patients must have estimated life expectancy of 6 months or greater
• AMKL PATIENTS: Female patients of child-bearing potential (FOCBP) must have a negative serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) pregnancy test within 7 days prior to registration; NOTE: a FOCBP is any woman (regardless of sexual orientation, having undergone a tubal ligation, or remaining celibate by choice) who meets the following criteria:
• * Has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy
• * Has had menses at any time in the preceding 12 consecutive months (and therefore has not been naturally postmenopausal for \> 12 months)
• AMKL PATIENTS: Female patients must meet at least one of the following conditions:
• * Must be post-menopausal for at least 1 year prior to registration (not of childbearing potential)
• * Must be surgically sterilized
• * Willing to use an acceptable method of birth control (i.e. hormonal contraceptive, intra-uterine device, diaphragm with spermicide, condom with spermicide, or abstinence) for the duration of the study
• AMKL PATIENTS: Male patients, even if surgically sterilized (status post-vasectomy) agrees to use an acceptable method for contraception during the entire study treatment period through 4 months after the last dose of alisertib
• AMKL PATIENTS: Patients must be able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent
• MF PATIENTS: Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of myelofibrosis (MF), as defined by WHO criteria
• MF PATIENTS: Patients must be intermediate I risk or beyond and meet the following:
• * In need of treatment
• * Intolerant or refractory to ruxolitinib (or other investigational Janus kinase \[JAK\]-inhibitors) OR unlikely to benefit from ruxolitinib
• * Ineligible for stem cell transplantation
• MF PATIENTS: Patients must have an ECOG status 0-2
• MF PATIENTS: Direct bilirubin \< 1.5 x ULN
• MF PATIENTS: ALT/AST =\< 2.5 x ULN
• MF PATIENTS: Creatinine \< 1.5 x ULN or calculated creatinine clearance \> 30 ml/min
• MF PATIENTS: PT and PTT =\< 1.5 x ULN
• MF PATIENTS: ANC \>= 1500/mm\^3
• MF PATIENTS: Platelets \>= 100,000/mm\^3
• MF PATIENTS: Patients must have estimated life expectancy of 6 months or greater
• MF PATIENTS: Female patients of child-bearing potential (FOCBP) must have a negative serum beta-HCG pregnancy test within 7 days prior to registration
• MF PATIENTS: Female patients must meet at least one of the following conditions:
• * Must be post-menopausal for at least 1 year prior to registration (not of childbearing potential)
• * Must be surgically sterilized
• * Willing to use an acceptable method of birth control (i.e. hormonal contraceptive, intra-uterine device, diaphragm with spermicide, condom with spermicide, or abstinence) for the duration of the study
• MF PATIENTS: Male patients, even if surgically sterilized (i.e. status post-vasectomy) agrees to use an acceptable method for contraception during the entire study treatment period through 4 months after the last dose of alisertib
• MF PATIENTS: Patients must be able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent