DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia

  • Philadelphia chromosome positive
• Peripheral blast count no greater than 10%
• No molecular remission
• Less than 3 years since initial diagnosis
• No anticipation of requirement for bone marrow or stem cell transplantation for 6 months

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL
• Platelet count at least 20,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin less than 2.0 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Transaminase less than 2.0 times ULN

Renal:

• Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL

Other:

• Not pregnant
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No significant active infection requiring hospitalization
• No other serious illness or significant behavioral or psychological problem that would preclude study involvement

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Prior interferon alfa allowed
• No concurrent interferon alfa

Chemotherapy:

• Prior cytarabine or other cytotoxic agents allowed
• No concurrent cytarabine or other cytotoxic agents
• Concurrent hydroxyurea allowed

Endocrine therapy:

• No concurrent corticosteroid therapy

Radiotherapy:

• Not specified

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• No concurrent immunosuppressive medications
• Concurrent imatinib mesylate allowed