Vorinostat and Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin in Treating Older Patients With Previously Untreated Acute Myeloid Leukemia

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the CR/CRi rate after treatment with vorinostat plus GO. (Good risk group) II. To determine the 30-day survival after treatment with vorinostat plus GO. (Poor risk group) SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To estimate the frequency and severity of regimen-associated toxicities, along with 30-day survival after start of treatment with vorinostat plus GO. (Good risk group) II. To determine the CR/CRi rate after treatment with vorinostat plus GO, and estimate the frequency and severity of regimen-associated toxicities. (Poor risk group) III. To investigate the relapse-free survival of patients who achieve CR/CRi and receive maintenance therapy on this study. IV. To define cellular factors associated with clinical response to GO/vorinostat and determine the mechanisms underlying the synergistic effect between GO and vorinostat on primary AML cells (in vitro correlative and mechanistic studies). OUTLINE: REMISSION INDUCTION THERAPY: Patients receive oral vorinostat once daily on days 1-9 and gemtuzumab ozogamicin IV over 2 hours on day 8. Treatment repeats every 15-22 days for up to 3 courses. CONSOLIDATION THERAPY: Beginning within 60 days after the completion of remission induction therapy, patients receive oral vorinostat once daily on days 1-9 and gemtuzumab ozogamicin IV over 2 hours on day 8. MAINTENANCE THERAPY: Patients receive oral vorinostat once daily on days 1-14. Treatment repeats every 28 days for 4 courses. All treatment continues in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months for up to 3 years.