PROTOCOL OUTLINE:

This is a dose escalation study.

Patients receive amifostine IV over 3-5 minutes three times a week for three weeks.

Cohorts of 3 patients receive one of three dose levels of amifostine. The maximum tolerated dose is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 6 patients experience dose limiting toxicity.

Patients are followed weekly for 3 weeks.

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

--Disease Characteristics--

Diagnosis of Fanconi's anemia by conventional diepoxybutane or mitomycin sensitivity assays, or molecular testing

Bone marrow failure verified on at least 3 occasions in the preceding 3 months by any one of the following: hemoglobin less than 8 g/dL; absolute neutrophil count less than 1,000/mm3; platelet count less than 30,000/mm3; symptomatic bone marrow failure (e.g., exercise limitation from anemia or spontaneous bleeding from thrombocytopenia)

Evidence consistent with myelodysplastic syndrome allowed if less than 5% blasts on bone marrow aspiration; clonality on bone marrow cytogenetic analysis OR morphological changes on bone marrow aspirate

Refusal of or unsuccessful with prior conventional therapies

--Prior/Concurrent Therapy--

Biologic therapy: No prior bone marrow transplantation; no concurrent hematopoietic growth factors

Endocrine therapy: No concurrent androgens

--Patient Characteristics--

Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2 times normal AST no greater than 3 times normal ALT no greater than 6 times normal

Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 times normal

Other: No prior malignancy; no active bacterial, viral, or fungal infection requiring therapy other than prophylaxis; not pregnant; negative pregnancy test