SarCNU in Treating Patients With Recurrent Malignant Glioma

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