Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed primary malignant brain tumor in 1 of the following groups:

- High grade (grade III or IV) supratentorial glioma receiving antineoplastic
treatment and with 1 of the following histologies:

- Anaplastic astrocytoma

- Glioblastoma multiforme (giant cell glioblastoma or gliosarcoma)

- Anaplastic oligodendroma

- Low grade (grade I or II) supratentorial glioma not planning to receive
treatment of any kind (including steroids) and with 1 of the following
histologies:

- Astrocytoma

- Oligodendroglioma

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Karnofsky performance status 60-100%

- No HIV positivity

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- No prior chemotherapy for brain tumor except polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant
(Gliadel® wafer)

- No prior cranial radiotherapy or radiotherapy for brain tumor

- No prior immunotherapy or biologic agents for brain tumor, including any of the
following:

- Immunotoxins

- Immunoconjugates

- Peptide receptor antagonists

- Interleukins

- Interferons

- Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes

- Lymphokine-activated killer cell therapy

- Gene therapy

- Antisense therapy

- No prior hormonal therapy for brain tumor

- More than 14 days since prior and no concurrent steroid therapy for patients
with low-grade (grade I or II) astrocytoma

- Prior glucocorticoid therapy allowed