SarCNU in Treating Patients With Recurrent Malignant Glioma

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed malignant glioma
• * Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) OR
• * Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)
• Recurrent or progressive disease by contrast-enhanced CT scan or MRI after primary surgery and radiotherapy
• At least 1 bidimensionally measurable lesion
• * At least 1 cm by 1 cm on contrast-enhanced CT scan or MRI
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• ECOG 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• At least 12 weeks
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count at least 120,000/mm3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin normal
• AST and ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal
• Renal:
• Creatinine normal OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• Cardiovascular:
• No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• No unstable angina pectoris
• No cardiac arrhythmia
• Pulmonary:
• DLCO at least 70% of predicted
• FVC at least 70% of predicted
• Other:
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No ongoing or active uncontrolled infection
• No other serious illness or medical condition that would preclude study
• No history of significant neurologic or psychiatric disorder that would preclude study
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 3 months after study
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• At least 6 weeks since prior immunotherapy
• No concurrent immunotherapy
• Chemotherapy:
• At least 6 weeks since prior chemotherapy
• No more than 1 prior adjuvant chemotherapy regimen for AA
• No prior chemotherapy for recurrent disease
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• Patients must be on a stable dose of steroids for at least 2 weeks prior to study
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No prior radiotherapy for recurrent disease
• No concurrent radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• See Disease Characteristics
• Prior surgery for recurrent disease (e.g., stereotactic biopsy or partial resection) allowed
• At least 4 weeks since prior surgery (except for biopsy)
• Other:
• At least 6 weeks since prior investigational agents
• No other concurrent investigational agents
• No other concurrent anticancer treatment