Bortezomib in Treating Patients With Advanced Myeloproliferative Disorders

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed advanced myeloproliferative disorder, including 1 of the following subtypes: * Myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia defined by the following criteria: * Evaluable or symptomatic disease as evidenced by ≥ 1 of the following: * Anemia, defined as hemoglobin \< 10 g/dL OR erythrocyte-transfusion dependence, defined as requiring 1 transfusion within the past 8 weeks * Symptomatic palpable splenomegaly (palpable hepatomegaly is acceptable if previously splenectomized) requiring treatment\* NOTE: \*Subjective but painful enough to mandate intervention * Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) defined by the following criteria: * Absence of an imatinib mesylate-sensitive molecular abnormality for CMML (i.e., t\[5;12\], t\[5;10\], t\[1;5\], and t\[5;7\]) confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or standard cytogenetic bone marrow analysis within the past 18 months * Symptomatic disease as evidenced by ≥ 1 of the following: * Anemia, defined as hemoglobin \< 10 g/dL OR erythrocyte-transfusion dependence, defined as requiring 1 transfusion within the past 8 weeks * Palpable splenomegaly (palpable hepatomegaly is acceptable if previously splenectomized) requiring treatment\* NOTE: \*Subjective but painful enough to mandate intervention * Leukocytosis associated with ascites, serositis, pleural effusions, vasculitis, or other overt manifestation * Systemic mast cell disease defined by the following criteria: * Absence of the FIP1LI-PDGFRA mutation as confirmed by FISH * Evaluable and symptomatic disease requiring therapy, as evidenced by involvement with organs other than skin (i.e., heart, bowel, peripheral blood, liver/spleen, or marrow) * Debilitating mast cell mediator symptoms not responsive to standard therapy such as antihistamines * Absence of t(9;22) translocation as confirmed by FISH or standard cytogenetic peripheral blood or marrow analysis at any prior time point PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Not incarcerated in a municipal, county, state, or federal prison * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,000/mm³ * Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm³ * Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL * Total or direct bilirubin ≤ 2.0 mg/dL * AST and ALT ≤ 3 times upper limit of normal (unless clinically attributed to hepatic extramedullary hematopoiesis) * No baseline peripheral or autonomic neuropathy ≥ grade 2 * No other condition or laboratory abnormality that would place the patient at unacceptable risk or confound the ability to interpret study data * No hypersensitivity to boron, mannitol, or bortezomib * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * No New York Hospital Association class III-IV heart failure * No uncontrolled angina * No severe uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmia * No evidence of acute ischemia or active conduction system abnormality by ECG * ECG screening abnormalities must be documented as not medically relevant * No other serious medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * At least 14 days since prior chemotherapy (e.g., interferon alfa, anagrelide, or other myelosuppressive agent) or any other experimental therapy * At least 14 days since prior growth factors * At least 14 days since prior systemic use of corticosteroids * More than 14 days since prior investigational drugs * Concurrent hydroxyurea allowed for ≤ 14 days during study therapy if clinically indicated for extreme leukocytosis control