Bortezomib in Treating Patients With Advanced Myeloproliferative Disorders

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed advanced myeloproliferative disorder, including 1 of the following subtypes:

  * Myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia defined by the following criteria:

    * Evaluable or symptomatic disease as evidenced by ≥ 1 of the following:

      * Anemia, defined as hemoglobin \< 10 g/dL OR erythrocyte-transfusion dependence, defined as requiring 1 transfusion within the past 8 weeks
      * Symptomatic palpable splenomegaly (palpable hepatomegaly is acceptable if previously splenectomized) requiring treatment\* NOTE: \*Subjective but painful enough to mandate intervention
  * Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) defined by the following criteria:

    * Absence of an imatinib mesylate-sensitive molecular abnormality for CMML (i.e., t\[5;12\], t\[5;10\], t\[1;5\], and t\[5;7\]) confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or standard cytogenetic bone marrow analysis within the past 18 months
    * Symptomatic disease as evidenced by ≥ 1 of the following:

      * Anemia, defined as hemoglobin \< 10 g/dL OR erythrocyte-transfusion dependence, defined as requiring 1 transfusion within the past 8 weeks
      * Palpable splenomegaly (palpable hepatomegaly is acceptable if previously splenectomized) requiring treatment\* NOTE: \*Subjective but painful enough to mandate intervention
      * Leukocytosis associated with ascites, serositis, pleural effusions, vasculitis, or other overt manifestation
  * Systemic mast cell disease defined by the following criteria:

    * Absence of the FIP1LI-PDGFRA mutation as confirmed by FISH
    * Evaluable and symptomatic disease requiring therapy, as evidenced by involvement with organs other than skin (i.e., heart, bowel, peripheral blood, liver/spleen, or marrow)
    * Debilitating mast cell mediator symptoms not responsive to standard therapy such as antihistamines
* Absence of t(9;22) translocation as confirmed by FISH or standard cytogenetic peripheral blood or marrow analysis at any prior time point

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* ECOG performance status 0-2
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* Not incarcerated in a municipal, county, state, or federal prison
* Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,000/mm³
* Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm³
* Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
* Total or direct bilirubin ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
* AST and ALT ≤ 3 times upper limit of normal (unless clinically attributed to hepatic extramedullary hematopoiesis)
* No baseline peripheral or autonomic neuropathy ≥ grade 2
* No other condition or laboratory abnormality that would place the patient at unacceptable risk or confound the ability to interpret study data
* No hypersensitivity to boron, mannitol, or bortezomib
* No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
* No New York Hospital Association class III-IV heart failure
* No uncontrolled angina
* No severe uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmia
* No evidence of acute ischemia or active conduction system abnormality by ECG

  * ECG screening abnormalities must be documented as not medically relevant
* No other serious medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* At least 14 days since prior chemotherapy (e.g., interferon alfa, anagrelide, or other myelosuppressive agent) or any other experimental therapy
* At least 14 days since prior growth factors
* At least 14 days since prior systemic use of corticosteroids
* More than 14 days since prior investigational drugs
* Concurrent hydroxyurea allowed for ≤ 14 days during study therapy if clinically indicated for extreme leukocytosis control