Temozolomide Plus Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Progressive Brain Tumor

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed supratentorial glioblastoma multiforme or gliosarcoma Must have evidence of tumor recurrence or progression by MRI scan after failing prior radiotherapy Bidimensionally measurable enhancing residual disease on MRI or CT scan Prior recent resection of recurrent or progressive tumor allowed if all of the following conditions apply: Recovered from surgery Residual evaluable disease present that is not artifactual postsurgical enhancement Baseline MRI or CT scan is performed within 14 days prior to study and while on a steroid dose that has been stable for at least 5-7 days

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 8 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: SGPT less than 2 times normal Alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times normal Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: BUN or creatinine less than 1.5 times normal Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use one highly effective method of contraception, AND one additional effective method of contraception for at least 4 weeks before, during, and for 8 weeks after study No peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 1 No active infection No other illness that would obscure toxicity or alter drug metabolism No other concurrent serious medical illness No other prior cancer within the past 3 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior thalidomide No other concurrent biologic therapy for cancer Chemotherapy: No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (2 weeks for vincristine and 6 weeks for nitrosoureas) No other concurrent chemotherapy for cancer Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent endocrine therapy for cancer Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent radiotherapy for cancer Surgery: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent surgery for cancer Other: Recovered from prior therapy No other concurrent investigational drugs for cancer