This study will add interleukin-2 (IL-2) to a regimen of post-remission therapy consisting of high-dose ara-C. Patients with AML in first remission will receive 3 cycles of high-dose ara-C followed by continuous infusion and bolus interleukin-2 (IL-2). We, the researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, plan to evaluate the immunologic effects of such treatment in these patients.

Patients will receive standard remission induction therapy with daunorubicin at a dose of 45 mg/m2/day for 3 days and continuous infusion cytarabine at a dose of 200 mg/m2/day for 7 days.

Those patients who enter a remission status and have preserved liver and kidney function will then receive 3 cycles of post-remission therapy that will consist of high-dose cytarabine at a dose of 3000 mg/m2 every 12 (q12) hours on days 1, 3 and 5 (total of 6 doses).

Patients who are still in remission will receive interleukin-2 (IL-2) upon count recovery at a dose of 8.1 X 10^5 U/m2/day by continuous infusion for 10 weeks. In addition, patients will receive bolus IL-2 at a dose of 6 X 10^5 U/m2 by intravenous bolus weekly for 6 doses through day 63.

Patients will be seen on a weekly basis while on treatment for examination and bloodwork.

At the end of treatment, patients will have a physical exam and bloodwork performed monthly for two years, then 4 times per year for two years.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients must have AML based on French-American-British (FAB) criteria.
• Patients must have a total bilirubin of < 2.0 mg/dL, SGOT < 90 IU/mL, alkaline phosphatase < 250 U/mL and a serum creatinine < 2.0 mg/dL.
• Age 18 years or greater.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of an antecedent hematologic malignancy such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
• Uncontrolled infection.
• History of a previous or concomitant malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer.
• Evidence of central nervous system (CNS) leukemia.
• Current use of corticosteroids.
• Prior treatment for AML, other than hydroxyurea.