RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as alemtuzumab and rituximab, can kill chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and are effective therapies for this disease. Biological therapies, such as Imprime PGG (poly-(1-6)-beta-glucotriosyl-(1-3)-beta-glucopyranose), may stimulate the immune system in different ways and help monoclonal antibodies kill CLL cells. Giving PGG beta-glucan together with alemtuzumab and rituximab could make therapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as alemtuzumab and rituximab, more effective.

PURPOSE: This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of PGG beta-glucan when given together with alemtuzumab and rituximab and to see how well it works in treating patients with earlier stage high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Determine the maximum tolerated dose of PGG beta glucan in combination with alemtuzumab and rituximab. (Phase I) II. Assess the rate of complete response of patients with high-risk, early-intermediate stage CLL who are treated with alemtuzumab, rituximab, and PGG beta glucan before meeting standard National Cancer Institute-International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (NCI-IWCLL) criteria (Hallek, Cheson et al. 2008) for treatment. (Phase II)

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To monitor and assess toxicity of this regimen. II. Clinical evaluation of toxicity. III. Serial monitoring of cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

IV. To assess the rate of overall response in CLL patients using this treatment regimen.

V. To determine time to progression, time to next treatment, and duration of response in CLL patients using this treatment regimen.

TERTIARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To assess the correlation between the individual prognostic markers (17p-, 11q-, unmutated VH gene, use of VH3-21, ZAP70+, CD38+) and clinical outcome.

II. To assess response to this combination regimen using an expanded definition of response, including bone marrow studies with immunohistochemical studies for residual CLL cells and sensitive flow cytometry for minimal residual disease in patients in complete clinical remission.

OUTLINE: This is phase I, dose-escalation study of PGG beta-glucan followed by a phase II study.

Patients receive PGG beta-glucan intravenously (IV) over 2-4 hours on days 1, 5, 10, 17, 24, and 31; alemtuzumab subcutaneously (SC) on days 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31, and 33; and rituximab IV on days 10, 17, 24, and 31. Treatment continues in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up monthly for 3 months, every 3 months for 1 year, and then every 6 months for 5 years.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of CLL (Hallek, Cheson et al. 2008) manifested by: Minimum threshold peripheral lymphocyte count of 5 x 10^9/L AND immunophenotypic demonstrations of a population of B lymphocytes (as defined by CD19+) which are monoclonal (light chain exclusion); CLL will be diagnosed if these cells have >= 3 of the following characteristics: CD5+, CD23+, dim surface light chain expression, dim surface CD20 expression AND fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis is negative for IGH/CCND1 and/or immunostaining is negative for cyclin D1 expression
• >= 1 of the following poor prognosis factors: unmutated IGHV (< 2%) AND CD38 expression (>= 30% cells positive on flow cytometry); unmutated IGHV (< 2%) AND ZAP-70 expression (>= 20% cells positive on flow cytometry); use of VH3-21 gene segment irrespective of mutation status AND CD38 expression (>= 30% cells positive on flow cytometry); use of VH3-21 gene segment irrespective of mutation status AND ZAP-70 expression (>= 20% cells positive on flow cytometry); 11q22-; 17p13-
• Rai classification Stage 0, I or II that does not meet standard NCI-IWCLL criteria for treatment of CLL (Hallek, Cheson et al. 2008)
• Limited CLL disease burden with no lymph nodes > 5 cm in any diameter and splenomegaly < 6 cm below left costal margin in midclavicular line at rest
• Creatinine =< 1.5 x upper normal limit (UNL)
• Total bilirubin =< 3.0 x UNL; if total is elevated, a direct bilirubin should be performed and should be =< 1.5 x UNL
• AST =< 3.0 x UNL
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS): 0, 1, or 2
• Negative serum pregnancy test done =< 7 days prior to registration, for women of childbearing potential only
• Provide informed written consent
• Willing to return to a Lymphoma Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) enrolling institution for follow-up
• Willing to provide blood samples for correlative research purposes

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women
• Nursing women
• Men or women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception
• New York Heart Association Class III or IV heart disease
• Recent myocardial infarction (< 1 month)
• Uncontrolled infection
• Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), serological evidence of active hepatitis B infection (HBsAg or HBeAg positive) or positive hepatitis C serology, as further severe immunosuppression with this regimen may occur
• Evidence of active autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenia, or pure red blood cell aplasia
• Other active primary malignancy requiring treatment or limits survival to =< 2 years
• Any major surgery =< 4 weeks prior to registration
• Any previous chemotherapy or monoclonal antibody treatment for CLL
• Current use of corticosteroids; NOTE: previous corticosteroids are allowed