E7070, Idarubicin and Cytarabine in Relapsed AML and High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) \[except acute promyelocytic leukemia\], or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HRMDS) (Int-2 high risk by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) or \>10% blasts in marrow).
2. Patients must be 18 years or older.
3. Patients must have a performance status of 0-2 (Zubrod scale).
4. Patients must have adequate renal function (serum creatinine less than or equal to 1.3 mg/dL and/or creatinine clearance \> 40 mL/min). Patients with renal dysfunction due to organ infiltration by disease may be eligible after discussion with the Principal Investigator (PI) (up to creatinine less than or equal to 2.0), and appropriate dose adjustments will be considered.
5. Patients must have adequate hepatic function (bilirubin less than or equal to 2.0 mg/dl; SGOT or Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) less than or equal to 3 times the ULN for the reference lab unless due to leukemia or congenital hemolytic disorder or bilirubin). Patients with hepatic dysfunction (SGOT/SGPT up to less than or equal to 5 X ULN) due to organ infiltration by disease may be eligible after discussion with the PI, and appropriate dose adjustments will be considered.
6. Patients must have normal cardiac ejection fraction
7. QTc interval \</= 480 msecs.
8. Patients must sign an informed consent form indicating that they are aware of the investigational nature of this study, in keeping with the policies of the hospital.
9. Female patients must not be pregnant or lactating. Female patients of childbearing potential (including those \<1 year post-menopausal) and male patients must agree to use contraception.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients must not have untreated or uncontrolled life-threatening infection.
2. Patients must not have received chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy within 2 weeks. Hydroxyurea is allowed up to 48 hours prior to starting therapy in the setting of rapidly proliferating disease. Use of hydroxyurea to control proliferative disease will be allowed starting from day 2 until day 7 Cycle 1. Maximum dose of hydroxyurea allowed daily is 5 gram and hydroxyurea must be discontinued once administration of idarubicin and cytarabine is started.
3. Any other medical condition, including mental illness or substance abuse, deemed by the PI to be likely to interfere with a patient's ability to sign informed consent or cooperate and participate in the study or with the interpretation of the results.
4. Patients must not have received an investigational anti-cancer drug within two weeks of E7070 administration.