Use of Ribavirin and Low Dose Ara-C to Treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Inclusion Criteria:

* The following patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are eligible:

  * De novo AML M4 or M5 FAB subtype or high eIF4E.
  * Secondary AML after a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or a myeloproliferative disorder (not chronic myelogenous leukemia), if M4 or M5 FAB subtype or high eIF4E.
  * Therapy-related AML if M4 or M5 FAB subtype or high eIF4E.
  * CML blast crisis if they have failed imatinib and at least one other tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
* All patients must have failed primary therapy (defined as two induction chemotherapies), have relapsed, or are not suitable candidates for intensive induction chemotherapy.
* Patients who have a dry aspirate or extramedullary disease only are eligible for this study if they have a pre-treatment marrow or tissue biopsy demonstrating AML M4 or M5 subtype or high eIF4E expression.
* ECOG performance status 0, 1, 2 or 3.
* Life expectancy \> 4 weeks.
* Age is \> 18 years.
* Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative serum (beta-HCG) pregnancy test within 14 days of starting protocol and must not be breastfeeding. Men and women of childbearing potential must agree to use an effective means of contraception throughout the study and for at least 30 days after completion of protocol.
* Adequate renal and hepatic function: serum creatinine \< 1.5 x ULN; AST or ALT \< 2.5 x ULN (or \< 5 x ULN if liver involvement with leukemia); serum bilirubin \< 1.5 x ULN.
* Provide written consent after the investigational nature, study design, risks and benefits of the study have been explained.
* Accessible for treatment and follow up.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Uncontrolled central nervous system involvement by AML.
* Active cardiovascular disease as defined by New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV categorization.
* Intercurrent illness or medical condition precluding safe administration of the planned protocol treatment or required follow-up.
* Received any previous therapy for AML within 28 days prior to the study entry. Hydrea is permitted for the treatment of leukocytosis but must be stopped within 7 days of starting low dose ara-C and ribavirin.
* Female patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
* Concurrent treatment with other anti-cancer therapy.
* Known infection with HIV.
* History of other malignancy. Subjects who have been disease-free for 2 year or subjects with a history of completely resected non-melanoma skin cancer or successfully treated in situ carcinoma are eligible.
* FAB AML M1, 2, 6, 7 will be excluded if they do not have high eIF4E expression. AML M3 is always excluded.