Phase I Trial of Vorinostat (MK-0683, SAHA) in Combination With Decitabine in Patients With AML or MDS (MK-0683-055 EXT1)

Inclusion Criteria: * Patient is at least 18 years old with refractory/relapsed AML * If untreated AML, patient is older than 60 years old and not a candidate for standard chemotherapy * Patient is at least 4 weeks from prior treatment and has recovered from all prior treatment side effects * Patient has no known liver or kidney problems * Patient knows of no reason they can not receive transfusions of blood clotting cells (platelets) * Patient is able to swallow capsules * Patients both male and female are willing to practice birth control during the study Exclusion Criteria: * Patient has received prior treatment with valproic acid, decitabine or azacitidine * Being is less than 18 years of age or if patient has untreated AML is below 60 years of age * Patient is a women who is pregnant or breastfeeding. Patient has an active infection that requires antibiotics * Patient has uncontrolled illness including but not limited to the following: heart problems (congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia), inflammation of the pancreas; a mental or social condition that may interfere with patient following study procedures * Patient has known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or HIV-related malignancy. Patient has a known history of hepatitis B or C infection * Patient currently has another active cancer other than certain types of skin cancer * Patient is heterosexual and able to have a child and is unwilling to practice birth control du…