Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Recurrent brain tumor based on one of the following: Tissue
diagnosis if there was a prior diagnosis of astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma or if there
is a question of radiation necrosis from prior interstitial brachytherapy Metabolic
activity in excess of normal cortex measured by 18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on PET One of
the following histologic types required: Glioblastoma multiforme Anaplastic astrocytoma
Anaplastic oligodendroglioma Anaplastic mixed glioma Tumor progression required, i.e.: 28%
increase in contrast-enhancing area or 50% increase in contrast- enhancing volume over at
least 4 weeks Measurable disease required No history, surgical findings, or radiographic
signs of intratumoral hemorrhage

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 15 Performance status: Karnofsky 50%-100% Life
expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000 Platelets at least 75,000
Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL AST/ALT less than 3 times normal No history of
bleeding disorder No hepatic disease resulting in hospitalization Renal: Creatinine less
than 1.5 mg/dL No renal disease resulting in hospitalization Cardiovascular: No ongoing
anticoagulation for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) No residual symptoms from DVT after
discontinuation of anticoagulation No cardiac disease resulting in hospitalization
Pulmonary: No pulmonary disease resulting in hospitalization Other: No peripheral
neuropathy of any etiology HIV negative No pregnant or nursing women Adequate
contraception required during and for 12 months following protocol therapy

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior
chemotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for
anaplastic astrocytoma, malignant oligodendroglioma, or malignant mixed glioma At least 4
weeks since chemotherapy (6 weeks since nitrosoureas or mitomycin) Endocrine therapy: Not
specified Radiotherapy: Completion of 1 course of conventional external radiotherapy
required At least 4 weeks since radiotherapy Surgery: Decompressive surgery for clinically
suspected increased intracranial pressure performed prior to entry