OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the activity of carmustine and O6-benzylguanine in patients with recurrent or progressive glioblastoma multiforme, anaplastic astrocytoma, or gliosarcoma resistant to nitrosourea. II. Determine the toxic effects of this regimen in these patients.
OUTLINE: Patients receive O6-benzylguanine IV over 1 hour, followed 1 hour later by carmustine IV over 1 hour on day 1. Treatment repeats every 6 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 18-32 patients will be accrued for this study within 12-18 months.