Pegaspargase and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed High-Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Closed to Accrual 4-22-2011)

This pilot clinical trial studies the side effects of pegaspargase when given together with combination chemotherapy in treating patients with newly diagnosed high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pegaspargase may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) together with pegaspargase may kill more cancer cells.