SU5416 in Treating Children With Recurrent or Progressive Brain Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven malignant recurrent or progressive brain tumor at initial presentation or at time of recurrence or progression for which no standard curative therapy exists Histologic verification for brainstem gliomas may be waived Bone marrow involvement allowed

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 21 and under Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: More than 8 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm3\* Platelet count greater than 75,000/mm3\* Hemoglobin greater than 9 g/dL \*Transfusion independent Hepatic: Bilirubin normal for age SGOT and SGPT less than 2.5 times normal for age PT/PTT no greater than 1.2 times upper limit of normal Albumin greater than 3 g/dL No overt hepatic disease Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times normal for age OR Glomerular filtration rate greater than 70 mL/min No overt renal disease Cardiovascular: No deep venous or arterial thrombosis within the past 3 months No history of myocardial infarction, severe or unstable angina, or severe peripheral vascular disease No overt cardiac disease No prior cerebral bleeds Pulmonary: No pulmonary embolism within the past 3 months No overt pulmonary disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No known allergies to paclitaxel or other agent that uses Cremophor EL No uncontrolled infection Neurological deficits allowed if stable for at least 1 week prior to study Greater than 3rd percentile weight for height

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: More than 6 months since prior bone marrow transplantation More than 1 week since prior growth factor(s) Chemotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior myelosuppressive chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered Endocrine therapy: Concurrent dexamethasone allowed if dose stable for at least 1 week prior to study Radiotherapy: More than 3 months since prior craniospinal irradiation greater than 24 Gy More than 3 months since prior total body irradiation More than 2 weeks since prior focal irradiation to symptomatic metastatic sites No prior stereotactic radiosurgery Concurrent total body irradiation allowed Surgery: See Radiotherapy Other: No other concurrent anticancer or experimental drug therapy Concurrent anticonvulsant drugs allowed