Vaccine Therapy in Treating Patients With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Diagnosis of chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia

  * Philadelphia chromosome positive
* Peripheral blast count no greater than 10%
* No molecular remission
* Less than 3 years since initial diagnosis
* No anticipation of requirement for bone marrow or stem cell transplantation for 6 months

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 18 and over

Performance status:

* ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL
* Platelet count at least 20,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin less than 2.0 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Transaminase less than 2.0 times ULN

Renal:

* Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL

Other:

* Not pregnant
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* No significant active infection requiring hospitalization
* No other serious illness or significant behavioral or psychological problem that would preclude study involvement

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* Prior interferon alfa allowed
* No concurrent interferon alfa

Chemotherapy:

* Prior cytarabine or other cytotoxic agents allowed
* No concurrent cytarabine or other cytotoxic agents
* Concurrent hydroxyurea allowed

Endocrine therapy:

* No concurrent corticosteroid therapy

Radiotherapy:

* Not specified

Surgery:

* Not specified

Other:

* No concurrent immunosuppressive medications
* Concurrent imatinib mesylate allowed