Purpose

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of ibrutinib when given together with idarubicin and cytarabine in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia that has returned after a period of improvement or has not responded to previous treatment. Ibrutinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as idarubicin and cytarabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving ibrutinib together with idarubicin and cytarabine may kill more cancer cells.