Testing the Addition of an Anti-cancer Drug, M3814, to the Usual Treatment (Mitoxantrone, Etoposide, and Cytarabine) for Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This phase I trial studies the best dose and side effects of M3814 when given in combination with mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia that has come back (relapsed) or does not respond to treatment (refractory). M3814 may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Chemotherapy drugs, such as mitoxantrone and 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. Etoposide is in a class of medications known as podophyllotoxin derivatives. It blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair and may kill cancer cells. Giving M3814 in combination with mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine may lower the chance of the acute myeloid leukemia growing or spreading.