Temozolomide in Treating Adults With Newly Diagnosed Primary Malignant Glioblastoma Multiforme

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically proven, newly diagnosed, supratentorial malignant glioblastoma multiforme not requiring immediate radiation therapy
• At least 1 bidimensionally measurable lesion
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• Karnofsky 70-100%
• Life expectancy:
• Greater than 12 weeks
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT and SGPT less than 2.5 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times ULN
• Renal:
• BUN less than 1.5 times ULN
• Creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN
• Other:
• Must be neurologically stable
• No systemic disease
• No acute infection requiring intravenous antibiotics
• No frequent vomiting
• No other medical condition that would interfere with oral medication intake such as partial bowel obstruction
• No prior or concurrent malignancies except:
• * Surgically cured carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• * Basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
• HIV negative
• No AIDS-related illness
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• No prior biologic therapy
• No concurrent biologic therapy (growth factors or erythropoietin)
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior chemotherapy
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• Concurrent steroid allowed (must be on stable dose for at least 1 week prior to study)
• Radiotherapy:
• No prior radiation therapy
• No prior interstitial brachytherapy
• No prior radiosurgery to the brain
• Not requiring immediate radiation therapy
• No concurrent radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• Recovered from any effects of prior surgery
• At least 2 weeks since prior surgical resection
• Other:
• No other concurrent investigational drugs