Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed newly diagnosed or recurrent supratentorial primary or
metastatic malignant brain tumor

- Measurable disease by MRI or CT scan

- Candidate for surgical resection

- Extension of tumor no more than 1.0 cm beyond the margin of the surgical cavity

- Demonstrated reactivity of tumor cells with tenascin by immunohistology with either a
polyclonal rabbit antibody or the monoclonal mouse antibody

- No infratentorial tumors, diffusely infiltrating tumors, tumors with subependymal
spread, or multifocal tumors

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- Karnofsky 50-100%

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1000/mm^3

- Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL

- Alkaline phosphatase less than 1.5 times normal

- SGOT less than 1.5 times normal

Renal:

- Creatinine less than 1.2 mg/dL

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Not specified

Chemotherapy:

- At least 6 weeks since prior chemotherapy, unless unequivocal evidence of progression

Endocrine therapy:

- Concurrent corticosteroids allowed, but must be on stable dose for at least 1 week

Radiotherapy:

- At least 3 months since prior radiotherapy to site of measurable disease in the CNS

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics