This phase I trial is studying the safety and potential efficacy of infusing non-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched ex vivo expanded cord blood progenitors following treatment with clofarabine and cytarabine for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The combination of clofarabine, cytarabine (Ara-C) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been tested in earlier studies for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. In these previous clinical trials, this combination of drugs has been shown to have an anti-leukemia effect. However, the combination of clofarabine and Ara-C is profoundly myelosuppressive and immunosuppressive causing periods of neutropenia potentially lasting more than three weeks. During this period, patients are at increased risk of infections that can result in an increased risk of death. G-CSF is a growth factor that is used to help the white blood cells recover more quickly, but even with G-CSF, the use of clofarabine and Ara-C is often limited by the need to take long breaks between treatments to allow blood counts to recover. In our lab we have developed a method of growing or "expanding" blood stem cells (cells that give rise to the blood system) from umbilical cord blood. We are doing this study to find out if giving these expanded cells after chemotherapy is safe, helps the blood system recover more quickly from chemotherapy to allow shorter breaks between treatments, and decreases the risk of infection

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Assess the safety of infusing off-the-shelf non-HLA matched expanded cord blood cells following administration of cytarabine hydrochloride (GCLAC) for patients with AML.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Assess the ability of the product to provide temporary myeloid engraftment.

II. Assess the kinetics/persistence of potential engraftment.

III. Assess the kinetics of autologous recovery when compared to historical cohorts.

IV. Assess the development of alloimmunization.

OUTLINE:

INDUCTION THERAPY: Patients receive clofarabine intravenously (IV) over 1 hour and cytarabine hydrochloride IV over 2 hours on days 1-5. Patients receive an infusion of non-HLA matched ex vivo expanded cord blood progenitors on day 6. Filgrastim (G-CSF) is administered subcutaneously (SC) on days 0-5 and from day 7 until blood counts recover. Treatment modifications may apply according to response.

CONSOLIDATION THERAPY: Patients receive clofarabine IV over 1 hour and cytarabine hydrochloride IV over 2 hours on days 1-5. Patients also receive G-CSF SC beginning on day 0 and continuing until blood counts recover.

Patients may receive treatment for 1-4 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3-6 months for 2 years and then annually for 3 years.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cohort A: Diagnosis of AML by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, either relapsed or refractory; acute promyelocytic leukemia [Acute promyelocytic leukemia with t(15;17)(q22;q12) and variants] will be eligible only after failure of a regimen containing arsenic trioxide; patients in this cohort must have had an initial remission duration of < 1 year and cannot have received any prior salvage chemotherapy
• Cohort B: Untreated AML patients, excluding those with favorable cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities per the European LeukemiaNet recommendations
• Cohort C: Untreated AML patients, including those with favorable cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities per the European LeukemiaNet recommendations
• The first three patients enrolled in cohorts A and B must be less than 60 years old; thereafter, patients aged >= 18 and =< 70 are eligible
• The first three patients enrolled in cohorts A and B must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 -1; thereafter, ECOG performance status of 0-2 is required
• Serum creatinine =< 1.0 mg/dL; if serum creatinine > 1.0 mg/dl, then the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) must be > 60 mL/min/1.73 m^2 as calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation where predicted GFR (ml/min/1.73 m^2) = 186 X (Serum Creatinine)^-1.154 X (age in years)^-0.203 X (0.742 if patient is female) X (1.212 if patient is black)
• Serum total bilirubin =< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) unless elevation is thought to be due to Gilbert's syndrome, hemolysis, or hepatic infiltration by the hematologic malignancy
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) =< 2.5 X ULN, unless elevation is thought to be due to hepatic infiltration by the hematologic malignancy
• Alkaline phosphatase =< 2.5 x ULN
• Capable of understanding the investigational nature, potential risks and benefits of the study, and able to provide valid informed consent
• Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 2 weeks prior to enrollment
• Male and female patients must be willing to use an effective contraceptive method during the study and for a minimum of 90 days after study treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allogeneic transplant recipients
• Current concomitant chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy other than as specified in the protocol with the exception of intrathecal chemotherapy administered on days that are not concurrent with clofarabine and cytarabine
• Have any other severe concurrent disease, or have a history of serious organ dysfunction or disease involving the heart, kidney, liver (including symptomatic hepatitis, veno-occlusive disease), or other organ system dysfunction
• Patients with a systemic fungal, bacterial, viral, or other infection not controlled (defined as exhibiting ongoing signs/symptoms related to the infection and without improvement, despite appropriate antibiotics or other treatment)
• Pregnant or lactating patients
• Any significant concurrent disease, illness, or psychiatric disorder that would compromise patient safety or compliance, interfere with consent, study participation, follow up, or interpretation of study results