Azacitidine in Treating Patients With Myelofibrosis

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM), including any of the following subtypes: * Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia * Post-polycythemic myeloid metaplasia * Post-thrombocythemic myeloid metaplasia * Evaluable and symptomatic disease, defined as 1 of the following: * Anemia (hemoglobin \< 10 g/dL or erythrocyte transfusion-dependent, requiring 1 transfusion ≤ 8 weeks) * Treatment required\* for symptomatic palpable splenomegaly (palpable hepatomegaly is acceptable if previously splenectomized) NOTE: \*Subjective but painful enough to mandate intervention * Absence of t(9;22) by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or standard cytogenetics (by peripheral blood or marrow) \- Previous demonstration of a lack of this translocation (at any point) is sufficient * No advanced malignant hepatic tumors PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,000/mm³ * Platelet count ≥ 50,000/mm³ * Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL * Total bilirubin ≤ 2.0 mg/dL OR direct bilirubin ≤ 2.0 mg/dL if total bilirubin elevated (unless attributed to underlying disease) * AST and ALT ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (unless clinically attributed to hepatic extramedullary hematopoiesis) * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No baseline peripheral or autonomic neuropathy ≥ grade 2 * No condition, including the presence of laboratory abnormalities, that would preclude study compliance * No hypersensitivity to mannitol or azacitidine * Not incarcerated in a municipality (i.e., county, state, or federal prison) PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * At least 14 days since prior chemotherapy, including interferon alfa, anagrelide, or other myelosuppressive agents * At least 14 days since prior systemic corticosteroids * At least 14 days since prior investigational agents