Temozolomide and Topotecan in Treating Patients With Primary CNS Lymphoma

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed primary CNS lymphoma at initial diagnosis
• Measurable tumor by radiography
• Failed\* OR is not a candidate for first-line high-dose systemic methotrexate-based chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy NOTE: \*Failure is defined as relapse, progression, or failure to achieve a complete response
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age
• 18 and over
• Performance status
• Karnofsky 50-100%
• Life expectancy
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL
• Hepatic
• SGOT and SGPT ≤ 3 times upper limit of normal
• Bilirubin ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
• Renal
• Creatinine clearance \> 40 mL/min
• Other
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• HIV negative
• No known allergy to temozolomide or topotecan
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or stage I or II cancer in complete remission
• No other major medical illness or psychiatric impairment that would preclude study participation
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy
• No concurrent prophylactic growth factors
• Chemotherapy
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas
• At least 2 weeks since prior methotrexate
• Endocrine therapy
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy
• See Disease Characteristics
• Surgery
• Not specified
• Other
• Recovered from all prior therapy
• At least 4 weeks since prior non-nitrosourea cytotoxic drugs (except methotrexate)
• At least 4 weeks since prior systemic investigational agents
• At least 2 weeks since prior non-cytotoxic antitumor drugs
• No other concurrent antitumor therapy
• EXCLUSION CRITERA
• 1. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or females of childbearing potential not using adequate contraception.
• 2. Known allergy to temozolomide or topotecan.
• 3. Severe vomiting or other inability to administer medications orally.
• 4. Major medical illnesses or psychiatric impairment that in the investigator's opinion will prevent administration or completion of the protocol therapy and/or will interfere with follow-up.