Pacritinib and Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia and FLT3 Mutations

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of pacritinib when given together with chemotherapy in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia that have an abnormal change (mutation) in the fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene. Pacritinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cytarabine, daunorubicin hydrochloride, and decitabine, 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 pacritinib and chemotherapy may be a better treatment for acute myeloid leukemia with FLT3 mutations.