Imatinib Mesylate in Treating Patients With Recurrent Malignant Glioma or Meningioma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed recurrent or unresectable malignant glioma

  * Glioblastoma multiforme (phase I only)
  * Anaplastic astrocytoma
  * Anaplastic oligodendroglioma
  * Anaplastic mixed oligoastrocytoma
  * Malignant astrocytoma not otherwise specified
  * Gliosarcoma
  * Low-grade histology with subsequent diagnosis of malignant glioma allowed (phase I only) OR
* Histologically confirmed recurrent or unresectable benign or malignant meningioma (phase I only)
* No prior intracranial hemorrhage
* Failed prior radiotherapy
* Progressive or recurrent disease by MRI or CT scan and/or resection

  * PET or thallium scan, MR spectroscopy, or surgical documentation required in patients who have received prior interstitial brachytherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery
  * Stable dose of steroids for 5-7 days prior to MRI or CT scan

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 18 and over

Performance status:

* Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

* More than 8 weeks

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
* Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL (transfusion allowed)

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin less than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* SGOT less than 2 times ULN
* No significant hepatic disease

Renal:

* Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL
* Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
* No significant renal disease

Cardiovascular:

* No significant cardiac disease
* No deep venous or arterial thrombosis within the past 6 weeks

Pulmonary:

* No pulmonary embolism within the past 6 weeks

Other:

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for up to 6 months after study participation
* No other serious concurrent medical illness
* No serious active infection
* No concurrent disease that would obscure toxicity or alter drug metabolism
* No other malignancy within the past 3 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* At least 1 week since prior interferon or thalidomide and recovered
* No concurrent immunotherapy
* No concurrent prophylactic filgrastim (G-CSF)

Chemotherapy:

* Recovered from prior chemotherapy
* At least 4 weeks since prior cytotoxic therapy
* At least 2 weeks since prior vincristine
* At least 6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas
* At least 4 weeks since prior temozolomide
* At least 3 weeks since prior procarbazine
* Prior polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant (Gliadel wafer) allowed
* Prior radiosensitizers allowed
* No other concurrent chemotherapy
* Phase I only:

  * Prior chemotherapy required for anaplastic astrocytoma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma, and anaplastic mixed oligoastrocytoma
  * Prior treatment for up to 3 relapses allowed
* Phase II only:

  * Prior chemotherapy not required
  * Prior treatment for up to 2 relapses allowed

Endocrine therapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 1 week since prior tamoxifen and recovered
* No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
* No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

* See Disease Characteristics
* Recovered from prior surgical resection of recurrent or progressive disease

Other:

* At least 1 week since prior non-cytotoxic agents and recovered
* At least 1 week since prior tretinoin and recovered
* At least 2 weeks since prior drugs that affect hepatic metabolism
* No other concurrent investigational agents
* No concurrent warfarin