DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed T-cell large granular lymphocytic (T-LGL) leukemia associated with clinically significant hematocytopenia demonstrated by one of the following values while off growth factor support:

  • Absolute neutrophil count less than 1,000/mm^3
  • Hemoglobin less than 8 g/dL
  • Platelet count less than 50,000/mm^3
• Clinically evaluable disease with peripheral blood T-LGL leukemia cells expressing the CD3+, CD8+ phenotype detectable by FACS
• Monoclonal T-cell population in peripheral blood (circulating mononuclear cells) demonstrated by TCR beta or gamma chain gene rearrangement

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Karnofsky 50-100%

Life expectancy:

• More than 2 months

Hematopoietic:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No active major bleeding episode within the past 4 weeks

Hepatic:

• Direct bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL

Renal:

• Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL

Other:

• No concurrent serious active infection

• Patients with fever without apparent site of infection may begin study while on antibiotics as long as the following are true:

  • No pathogenic organism in culture
  • Afebrile (maximum temperature less than 38°C) for at least 5 days
• HIV negative
• No other primary cancer other than basal cell skin cancer
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior interferon
• Concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF), sargramostim (GM-CSF), interleukin-11, or similar sustained-release/long-acting product (e.g., pegylated G-CSF) allowed if dose established at least 4 weeks prior to study participation
• No concurrent interferon

Chemotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy
• No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• Concurrent corticosteroids allowed if dose established at least 3 weeks prior to study participation

Radiotherapy:

• Not specified

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• At least 1 week since completion of prior antibiotic regimen for serious infectious episode
• No other concurrent investigational drugs