Clofarabine, Cytarabine, and Filgrastim in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Advanced Myelodysplastic Syndrome, and/or Advanced Myeloproliferative Neoplasm

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To assess the complete remission (CR) rate of this regimen as compared with 7 + 3 standard induction with the 90 mg/m\^2/dose of daunorubicin (historical control) in previously untreated patients with AML or advanced MDS or advanced myeloproliferative neoplasm less than age 65. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the event free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS) and treatment related mortality of this regimen. II. To assess the toxicity of this regimen in previously untreated patients. III. To determine whether 3 consolidation chemotherapy cycles consisting of G-CSF (filgrastim), clofarabine, and cytarabine (GCLAC) can be administered with prompt recovery of blood counts. OUTLINE: INDUCTION THERAPY: Patients receive filgrastim subcutaneously (SC) daily beginning the day prior to chemotherapy and continuing until blood counts recover. Patients receive clofarabine intravenously (IV) over 1 hour followed by cytarabine IV over 2 hours daily for 5 days. CONSOLIDATION THERAPY: Patients receive filgrastim SC daily for 5 days beginning the day prior to chemotherapy. Patients receive clofarabine IV over 1 hour followed by cytarabine IV over 2 hours daily for 4 days. Treatment with induction therapy may continue for up to 2 courses and treatment with consolidation therapy may continue for up to 3 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months for 2 years and then annually for 5 years.