SJG-136 in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Blastic Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of 1 of the following hematologic malignancies:

  * Acute myeloid leukemia
  * Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  * Myelodysplastic syndromes
  * Chronic myelogenous leukemia in blastic phase
  * Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
* Relapsed or refractory disease
* No immediately available, potentially curable options (e.g., stem cell transplantation) available
* Bilirubin normal (unless elevated due to Gilbert's syndrome)
* HIV positivity allowed provided CD4 counts are normal with no AIDS-defining disease
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* No uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, any of the following:

  * Ongoing or active infection
  * Symptomatic congestive heart failure
  * Unstable angina pectoris
  * Cardiac arrhythmia
  * Psychiatric illness or social situations that would limit study compliance
* Recovered from prior therapy
* ECOG performance status =\< 2
* SGOT and SGPT =\< 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Creatinine normal OR creatinine clearance \>= 60 mL/min
* Primary resistance (i.e., failed to achieve a complete remission \[CR\] to a standard induction regimen) or relapsed after achievement of a CR.
* Must have documented failure to last cytotoxic regimen prior to study entry.
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

* No known CNS disease
* No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to SJG-136
* More than 7 days since radiotherapy
* No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients
* No other anti-leukemia agents except hydroxyurea =\< 5 grams/day =\< 14 days prior to and during first course of treatment to control blood counts