Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

- Untreated disease

- No promyelocytic AML

- Unfavorable prognosis, defined as at least one of the following:

- Cytogenetic abnormalities including -5/5q-, -7/7q-, 3q, 11q23, t(6;9), and
complex abnormalities (≥ 3 clonal abnormalities), excluding t(9;11)

- Baseline hyperleukocytosis ≥ 100 g/L or progression of leukocytosis or
extra-medullary localizations despite treatment with hydroxyurea

- No AML with favorable or intermediate prognosis

- No AML secondary to myelodysplastic syndrome diagnosed within the past 3 months or
myeloproliferative syndrome

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- ECOG performance status 0-2

- Total bilirubin < 35 μmol/L

- Transaminases < 2.5 times upper limit of normal in the absence of leukemia-related
abnormalities

- Creatinine < 170 μmol/L OR creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min in the absence of
leukemia-related abnormalities

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Normal cardiac function by LVEF (echographic ≥ 40% or isotopic ≥ 50%)

- Affiliated with a social security system

- No uncontrolled or severe cardiovascular disease, including any of the following:

- Myocardial infarction within the past 3 months

- Cardiac insufficiency

- Uncontrolled arrhythmia

- No other active cancer within the past year except for basal cell carcinoma of the
skin or epithelioma in situ of the cervix

- No patients deprived of freedom or under guardianship (including temporary
guardianship)

- No psychological, familial, geographical, or social situations that preclude
follow-up

- No other contraindications to study treatment

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- See Disease Characteristics

- Prior hydroxyurea allowed

- No concurrent disulfiram

- No concurrent participation in another study with an experimental drug