A Phase II Study of Gleevec and Arsenic Trioxide in Patients With CML Who Fail Gleevec

Inclusion criteria:

* All patients, 18 years of age or older, with a diagnosis of CML.
* Patients must have a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks.
* Patients must have an ECOG performance status of 0-2.
* Patients must sign an informed consent.
* Patients should have adequate hepatic function with a total bilirubin \< 2 mg/dl and SGOT or SGPT \< two times the upper limit of normal, and adequate renal function as defined by a serum creatinine \< 1.5 x upper limit of normal.
* Patients with CML in chronic phase on gleevec as first line therapy who fulfill the following criteria:
* Failure to achieve a complete hematologic response (CHR) after 3 months of therapy (hematologic resistance)
* Failure to achieve a complete cytogenetic response (CGCR) after \> 9 months of therapy.
* Cytogenetic relapse, defined as an increase in the Ph+ cells by at least 30%.
* Hematologic relapse defined as the appearance of any of the following, confirmed by a second determination \> 1 month later:

  * WBC count \>20, 000,
  * Platelet count \>600,000,
  * Progressive splenomegaly \> 5 cm below the left intercostals margin,
  * \>5% myelocytes and/or metamyelocytes in the peripheral blood,
  * Blasts or promyelocytes in the peripheral blood

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant women or nursing mothers are not eligible for this trial. Patients of child bearing potential must use adequate contraception.
* Patients may receive no other concurrent chemotherapy or radiation therapy during this trial.
* Patients with severe medical problems such as uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease or active infections are not eligible for this trial.