Caspofungin Acetate in Treating Aspergillosis in Patients With Hematologic Cancer or in Patients Who Have Undergone a Stem Cell Transplant

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of proven or probable invasive aspergillosis (IA) * Patients with a diagnosis of possible IA are eligible provided they are upgraded to probable or proven IA by culture and/or histology results and Aspergillus galactomannan evaluation within 7 days after study entry * Meets any of the following criteria: * Diagnosis of a hematologic malignancy * Underwent autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * Karnofsky 20-100% Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Not specified Hepatic * AST and ALT ≤ 5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Bilirubin ≤ 5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 5 times ULN * No severe hepatic insufficiency * Child-Pugh score ≤ 9 Renal * No severe renal failure requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis * Creatinine \< 3.4 mg/dL Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective double-method contraception * No known HIV positivity * No history of allergy or adverse reaction to echinocandin drugs * No known bacterial infection that is not adequately treated * No psychological, familial, social, or geographical condition that would preclude study participation or compliance PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * See Disease Characteristics Chemotherapy * Not specified Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * Not specified Surgery * Not…