Low-Dose or High-Dose Vincristine and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Young Patients With Relapsed B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) * Bone marrow with \> 25% L1 or L2 lymphoblasts (M3 marrow) * Patients with \> 25% L3 marrow lymphoblasts and/or evidence of c-myc translocation are not eligible (considered Burkitt's or mature B-cell leukemia) * Intermediate-risk relapsed disease, meeting 1 of the following criteria: * Bone marrow relapse ≥ 36 months after initial diagnosis (defined as M3 marrow after previous remission from ALL) * Combined bone marrow and extramedullary (CNS\* and/or testicular\*\*) relapse ≥ 36 months after initial diagnosis * Isolated extramedullary (CNS\* and/or testicular\*\*) relapse \< 18 months after initial diagnosis * The following subtypes are not allowed: * T-lineage ALL * Mature B-cell (Burkitt's) leukemia (defined as L3 morphology and/or evidence of c-myc translocation) * Philadelphia-chromosome positive disease * No Down syndrome (trisomy 21) * Shortening fraction \>= 27% by echocardiogram OR ejection fraction \>= 50% by radionuclide angiogram * Bilirubin \< 3.0 mg/dL * Not pregnant * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No history of peripheral neuropathy \>= grade 3 within the past month * No toxicity (i.e. peripheral neuropathy) \>= grade 3 attributable to vincristine within the past month * At least 5 days since prior intrathecal chemotherapy * No prior hematopoietic stem cell or marrow transplantation * No prior cranial radiotherapy \> 1200 cGy (for patients with CN…