OBJECTIVES:
* Assess the complete remission rate in patients with recurrent or refractory non-T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia when treated with 506U78.
* Determine the frequency and severity of toxic effects of this drug in these patients.
OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.
Patients receive 506U78 IV over 2 hours on days 1, 3, and 5. Treatment continues every 21 days for up to 4 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Patients are followed every month for 6 months, every 3 months for 1 year, and then every 6 months for 3.5 years.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 20-35 patients will be accrued for this study within 18 months.
