Azacitidine, Mitoxantrone Hydrochloride, and Etoposide in Treating Older Patients With Poor-Prognosis Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This phase I trial studies the best dose of azacitidine and to see how well it works with mitoxantrone hydrochloride and etoposide in treating older patients with acute myeloid leukemia that has a lower chance of responding to treatment or higher risk of returning (poor prognosis). Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as azacitidine, mitoxantrone hydrochloride, and etoposide, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) may kill more cancer cells.