RATIONALE: Giving colony-stimulating factors, such as G-CSF, helps stem cells move from the bone marrow to the blood so they can be collected and stored until transplant.

PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects of G-CSF in stimulating peripheral stem cells for autologous stem cell transplant in treating patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia in remission.

OBJECTIVES:

• Determine the feasibility and safety of harvesting adequate numbers of CD34-positive peripheral blood stem cells using filgrastim (G-CSF) in patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia in complete cytogenetic remission.
• Determine the safety of temporarily discontinuing treatment with imatinib mesylate and using G-CSF during the harvesting procedure, in terms of the percentage of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive cells before and after stem cell harvest, in these patients.

OUTLINE: Patients receive filgrastim (G-CSF) and then undergo apheresis for up to 5 days.

After completion of apheresis, patients resume treatment with imatinib mesylate off study. Patients may later undergo autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, when deemed necessary.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 20 patients will be accrued for this study within 2 years.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia

  • In complete cytogenetic remission, confirmed by bone marrow biopsy within the past month

• Has been receiving imatinib mesylate for ≥ 3 months* NOTE: *Imatinib mesylate is held during the study harvesting procedure

• No myelofibrosis on bone marrow ≥ 3+

• Ineligible for or refused allogeneic stem cell transplantation

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• Over 18

Performance status

• ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy

• Not specified

Hematopoietic

• WBC > 3,000/mm^3
• Platelet count > 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic

• Adequate hepatic function for stem cell transplantation

Renal

• Adequate renal function for stem cell transplantation

Cardiovascular

• Adequate cardiovascular function for stem cell transplantation

Pulmonary

• Adequate pulmonary function for stem cell transplantation

Other

• HIV negative

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• No other concurrent biologic therapy

Chemotherapy

• More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy
• No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

• Not specified

Radiotherapy

• No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery

• No concurrent surgery

Other

• No other concurrent experimental therapy