Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Kernohan Grade III/IV primary malignant brain tumor that has
failed conventional surgical resection and radiotherapy Evidence of recurrent tumor on
gadolinium-enhanced MRI following completion of radiotherapy (minimum 5,000 cGy for
adults) required The following histologies are eligible: Anaplastic astrocytoma Anaplastic
oligodendroglioma Glioblastoma multiforme Mixed anaplastic glioma Surgical resection of
progressing brain tumor feasible No evidence of tumor extending across the midline from
one hemisphere to the other No multifocal tumor or leptomeningeal spread

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life
expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 2,000 Platelets greater than
100,000 Hct at least 28% Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dl Renal: Creatinine less
than 1.5 mg/dl Cardiovascular: No major cardiovascular problems Pulmonary: No major
pulmonary problems Other: Seronegative for HTLV/HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C No
concurrent systemic infection Ability to maintain proper nutrition (orally or
intravenously) during the study period required No pregnant women

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: More than 4 weeks
since systemic chemotherapy (6 weeks since carmustine), with the WBC increasing on 2
consecutive determinations at least 3 days apart Endocrine therapy: Not specified
Radiotherapy: At least 8 weeks since radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics