OBJECTIVES:
* Determine the effect of silymarin, in terms of liver function tests, in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia receiving hepatotoxic chemotherapy.
* Determine the effect of this drug on free and conjugated serum silibinin values in these patients.
* Determine the serum antioxidant capacity by Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity in patients treated with this drug.
* Determine the oxidative damage, as determined by 8-oxodeoxyguanosine adducts, in patients treated with this drug.
OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.
* Arm I: Patients receive oral silymarin daily for 28 days.
* Arm II: Patients receive oral placebo as in arm I. Patients are followed at day 56.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 50 patients (25 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study.
