Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Primary Malignant Brain Tumors

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed incurable adult primary malignant brain tumor
• Evidence of progressive or recurrent tumor by MRI scan performed within 2 weeks prior to study entry
• Must have received and failed standard therapy
• Tumor must be at least 5 mm
• No brain stem tumors
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• Karnofsky 60-100%
• Life expectancy:
• At least 2 months
• Hematopoietic:
• Hematological function normal
• WBC at least 2000/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 50,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• No liver failure
• No evidence of hepatic insufficiency
• Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
• SGOT/SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal
• Renal:
• No evidence of renal insufficiency
• Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
• No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium
• Cardiovascular:
• No uncontrolled hypertension
• No history of congestive heart failure
• No chronic heart failure
• No other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium
• Pulmonary:
• No serious lung disease, such as severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation
• No medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude study treatment
• No active infection
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy
• No concurrent immunomodulating agents
• Chemotherapy:
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy, except in patients with disease progression during initial therapy
• At least 6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas, except in patients with disease progression during initial therapy
• No concurrent antineoplastic agents
• Endocrine therapy:
• Corticosteroids allowed
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy, except in patients with disease progression during initial therapy
• Surgery:
• At least 4 weeks since prior surgery, except in patients with disease progression during initial therapy
• Other:
• Recovered from prior therapy
• Cytodifferentiating agents allowed