This study is to test escalating doses of carfilzomib in patients with relapsed acute myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Several published studies have demonstrated the in vitro anti-leukemic activity of carfilzomib in leukemia cell lines as well as in primary human acute myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. The anti-leukemic activity of carfilzomib was consistently more potent than that of bortezomib, particularly at doses ≥27mg/m2. Importantly, patients treated on the phase I and phase II carfilzomib trials have had low rates of treatment-associated neuropathy. Several large collaborative groups have current phase II clinical trials that incorporate bortezomib into the treatment regimens for acute myeloid or acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Thus, there is a strong rationale for a study of carfilzomib, a potentially more potent proteasome inhibitor with less toxicity, in patients with relapsed acute leukemias.

Inclusion Criteria:

Disease Related

• Relapsed acute myeloid leukemia or relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Patients with primary refractory AML or ALL (after standard induction chemotherapy) are also eligible if they have evidence of persistent disease documented by bone marrow biopsy done within 14 days of trial entry.
• Subjects must have disease documented on bone marrow biopsy done within 14 days of starting cycle 1

Demographic

• Males and females ≥ 18 years old.
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status of ≤ 2.

Laboratory

• Peripheral blast count must be ≤ 30,000 on the first day of study drug administration. Leukopheresis and hydrea are acceptable measures of leuko-reduction prior to beginning the study drug.
• Adequate hepatic function with ALT/SGPT ≤ 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or ≤ 5.0 x ULN if the transaminase elevation is due to leukemic involvement. Serum bilirubin ≤ 2.0 x ULN.
• Adequate renal function with calculated creatinine clearance of ≥ 15 mL/min (calculated using the Cockcroft and Gault formula) or measured creatinine clearance ≥ 15 mL/min from 24 hour urine collection.
• Uric acid, if elevated, must be corrected to within laboratory normal range prior to dosing.

Ethical / Other

• Ability to provide written informed consent obtained prior to participation in the study and any related procedures being performed.
• Women of childbearing age must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to initiating therapy and be willing to not become pregnant to by using effective contraception while undergoing treatment and for at least 3 months afterwards.
• Men must be willing not to father a new child while receiving therapy. They must use an effective barrier method of contraception during the study and for 3 months following the last dose.

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects meeting any of the following exclusion criteria are not eligible to enroll in this study.

Disease Related

• Active CNS leukemia.
• Receiving any other investigational agents within 14 days of first dose of study drug.
• Had cytotoxic chemotherapy within 14 days of first dose of study drug. Leukopheresis and hydrea are allowed as specified per protocol
• Had allogeneic stem cell transplantation within 100 days of first dose of study drug. Patients with a history of graft-versus-host disease on a stable dose of immunosuppression and who are otherwise medically fit are eligible for the trial. Patients with active graft-versus host disease are excluded.
• Had radiotherapy within 14 days prior to study enrollment.
• Subjects with pleural effusions requiring thoracentesis or ascites requiring paracentesis.

Concurrent Conditions

• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, congestive heart failure of NYHA class 3 or 4, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situation that would limit compliance with study requirements.
• Major surgery within three weeks before Day 1.
• Active hepatitis A, B, C infection.
• Known or suspected HIV infection or subjects who are HIV seropositive.
• Significant neuropathy (Grade 3, 4) at the time of study initiation.
• Patients in whom oral and/or IV fluid hydration is contraindicated, e.g., due to pre-existing pulmonary, cardiac, or renal impairment, will not be eligible to participate in the clinical trial.

Ethical / Other

-Female subjects who are pregnant or lactating.