Tosedostat and Cytarabine or Azacitidine in Treating Older Participants With Acute Myeloid Leukemia or High Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome

This phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of cytarabine and azacitidine and how well they work when giving together with tosedostat in treating older participants with acute myeloid leukemia or high risk myelodysplastic syndrome. Tosedostat and azacitidine may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cytarabine, 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. It is not yet known whether giving tosedostat and cytarabine or azacitidine may work better in treating participants with acute myeloid leukemia or high risk myelodysplastic syndrome.