PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:~I. To characterize the rate of response to azacitidine and sirolimus in adults with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or those unable or unwilling to tolerate high dose chemotherapy.~SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:~I. To determine the pharmacodynamic effect of sirolimus on inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in adults with high-risk MDS, or relapsed or refractory AML or those unable or unwilling to tolerate high dose chemotherapy.~II. To determine the safety and tolerability of sirolimus and azacitidine in adults with high-risk MDS, or relapsed or refractory AML or those unable or unwilling to tolerate high dose chemotherapy.~III. To determine the progression free survival and overall survival in adults with high-risk MDS, or relapsed or refractory AML or those unable or unwilling to tolerate high dose chemotherapy.~IV. To determine if the quality of life of patients is improved with the combination of azacitidine and sirolimus when compared to historical controls of azacitidine alone.~OUTLINE:~Patients receive sirolimus orally (PO) on days 1-10 or 1-12 and azacitidine intravenously (IV) on days 4-8, 11, and 12 or days 4-10. Treatment repeats every 28 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.~After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months.
This phase II trial studies how well sirolimus and azacitidine works in treating patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome or recurrent acute myeloid leukemia. Sirolimus may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as azacitidine, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Sirolimus and azacitidine may kill more cancer cells.