DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Confirmed diagnosis of iron overload, defined as serum ferritin > 1,000 ng/mL and liver iron concentration ≥ 5 mg iron/g on tissue proton transverse relaxation rates MRI
• Underwent prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using either myeloablative or reduced-intensity conditioning at least 12 months ago
• No evidence of relapse or progression of the primary disease for which allogeneic HSCT was performed
• Patients who have become red-cell transfusion independent (i.e., no red cell transfusions within the past 3 months ) as well as patients who require red cell transfusions are eligible

• Meets one of the following criteria:

  • Ineligible for phlebotomy (hemoglobin < 11 g/dL, poor intravenous access, or unable to undergo phlebotomy every 4 weeks)

    • Patients are considered unable to undergo phlebotomy if they need red-cell transfusions or recombinant epoetin alfa to maintain hemoglobin ≥ 11 g/dL
  • Have failed treatment with phlebotomy (serum ferritin > 50% of baseline after 3 months of phlebotomy)
  • Refused phlebotomy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status of 0-2
• Life expectancy ≥ 6 months
• ANC ≥ 1,000/mm³
• Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL
• Platelet count ≥ 50,000/mm³
• Serum creatinine ≤ 1.6 mg/dL and creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
• AST and ALT ≤ 5 times the upper limit of normal
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective method of contraception

• No contraindication for MRI including, but not limited to, any of the following:

  • Cardiac pacemaker
  • Implanted cardiac defibrillator
  • Aneurysm clips
  • Carotid artery vascular clamp
  • Neurostimulator
  • Insulin or infusion pump, or implanted drug infusion device
  • Claustrophobia
  • Weight > 350 lbs
• Able to take medications orally
• No uncontrolled bacterial, viral, or fungal infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Prior therapy with deferoxamine allowed provided it was completed ≥ 12 months ago
• More than 4 weeks since prior and no concurrent systemic investigational drug
• More than 7 days since prior and no concurrent topical investigational drug
• Concurrent non-investigational medications needed to treat concomitant medical conditions are allowed, with the exception of other chelating agents
• Concurrent growth factors such as epoetin alfa, darbepoetin alfa, filgrastim (G-CSF), and sargramostim (GM-CSF) allowed
• Concurrent irradiated packed red-cell and platelet transfusions allowed as clinically indicated
• Concurrent low-doses of vitamin C supplements (≤ 200 mg/day) allowed
• No concurrent iron supplements or multivitamins with iron
• Aluminum-containing antacid therapies may not be taken simultaneously with deferasirox, but may be taken 2 hours before or after administration of deferasirox
• Not on dialysis or status post-renal transplantation