Decitabine in Treating Patients With Previously Untreated Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) meeting 1 of the following criteria: * At least 60 years of age and not a candidate for or refused standard induction treatment * Poor risk cytogenetics * AML following antecedent hematologic disorder * Therapy-related AML * Secondary AML * No granulocytic sarcoma as sole site of disease * No active CNS disease or CNS relapse * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Life expectancy \> 6 months * Total bilirubin \< 2.0 mg/dL * Creatinine \< 2.0 mg/dL * AST and ALT \< 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No NYHA class III or IV congestive heart failure * No uncontrolled infection * No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to decitabine that are not easily managed * No other uncontrolled illness including, but not limited to, any of the following: * Symptomatic congestive heart failure * Unstable angina pectoris * Serious cardiac arrhythmia * Psychiatric illness or social situations that would preclude compliance with study requirements * No active second malignancy involving the blood or marrow or likely to progress and require therapy in the next 6 months * No prior therapy for AML except emergency leukapheresis or hydroxyurea for leukocytosis * No prior azacitidine or decitabine * No prior cytarabine or other conventional chemotherapy agents for antecedent hematologic disorders * Prior myeloid growth factors, recombinant erythropoietin, thalidomide, or lenalidomide allowed * No concurrent palliative radiotherapy * No other concurrent investigational agents * No other concurrent direct anti-leukemia therapy * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients