Comparison of Three Treatment Regimens in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically proven acute myelogenous leukemia of one of the following types:

  * Acute myeloblastic leukemia (FAB type M0, M1, or M2)
  * Acute promyelocytic leukemia (FAB type M3) allowed if ineligible for an ECOG M3 protocol or if no tretinoin or arsenic trioxide therapy is planned
  * Acute myelomonocytic leukemia (FAB type M4)
  * Acute monocytic leukemia (FAB type M5)
  * Acute erythroleukemia (FAB type M6)
  * Acute megakaryocytic leukemia (FAB type M7)
* Must meet 1 of the following criteria:

  * Relapse less than 6 months after first complete remission (CR)
  * Relapse 6-12 months after first CR
  * Refractory to conventional initial induction chemotherapy (no more than 2 courses) or first reinduction (no more than 1 course)

    * Must have marrow documentation of residual leukemia after chemotherapy (for at least 2 weeks duration)
  * Second or greater relapse
* No relapse greater than 1 year after achieving first CR
* Blast cells must be CD33 positive
* Prior CNS leukemia allowed if there is currently documentation of no CNS involvement on CSF examination (i.e., negative CSF by lumbar puncture)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 18 and over

Performance status:

* ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* See Disease Characteristics

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL\*
* SGOT less than 2 times upper limit of normal\* NOTE: \*Unless due to leukemia infiltration

Renal:

* Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

* See Chemotherapy
* No myocardial infarction within the past 3 months
* No significant congestive heart failure
* No significant cardiac arrhythmia
* Cardiac ejection fraction normal by MUGA scan or echocardiogram
* Resting ejection fraction at least 50% or at least 5% increase with exercise
* Shortening fraction at least 24% or normal by echocardiogram

Other:

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* No concurrent organ damage or other medical problems that would precludestudy therapy
* No concurrent evidence (including positive blood or deep tissue cultures or stains) of invasive fungal infection
* No hypersensitivity to ingredients of gemtuzumab ozogamicin or daunorubicin liposomal
* No other active tumor that would interfere with study therapy or increase risk

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* No prior gemtuzumab ozogamicin

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* See Biologic therapy
* No prior daunorubicin liposomal or topotecan
* Prior doxorubicin (no greater than 300 mg/m2), daunorubicin (no greater than 300 mg/m2), idarubicin (no greater than 100 mg/m2), or mitoxantrone (no greater than 100 mg/m2) allowed if left ventricular function is adequate
* At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy except patients who are refractory to conventional initial induction chemotherapy
* Prior hydroxyurea allowed within 4 weeks prior to beginning study
* Hydroxyurea must be discontinued at least 24 hours prior to beginning study

Endocrine therapy:

* Not specified

Radiotherapy:

* At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy except patients who are refractory to conventional initial induction chemotherapy

Surgery:

* Not specified