Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Progressive Glioblastoma Multiforme

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed glioblastoma multiforme
• * Radiographic evidence of recurrence or progression
• * Biopsies to confirm tumor recurrence allowed if a sufficent percentage of cases are confirmed to be recurrent tumor
• Previously treated with optimal radiotherapy and at least 1 cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age
• 18 and over
• Performance status
• Not specified
• Life expectancy
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic
• Bilirubin no greater than 2 times normal
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times normal
• ALT no greater than 3 times normal
• Renal
• BUN no greater than 1.5 times normal OR
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times normal
• Other
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No medical condition that would interfere with oral administration of erlotinib
• No other medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude study therapy
• No active infection
• No other malignancy within the past 3 years except surgically cured carcinoma in situ of the cervix or nonmelanoma skin cancer
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy
• No concurrent immunotherapy for brain cancer
• No concurrent biologic therapy for brain cancer
• Chemotherapy
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered
• No concurrent chemotherapy for brain cancer
• Endocrine therapy
• Concurrent glucocorticosteroids allowed
• No concurrent hormonal therapy for brain cancer
• Radiotherapy
• See Disease Characteristics
• Surgery
• Not specified
• Other
• No prior epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor
• No concurrent EGFR inhibitor
• No other concurrent antineoplastic therapy
• No concurrent anti-epileptic agents other than modest- or non-enzyme-inducing drugs such as the following:
• * Gabapentin
• * Lamotrigine
• * Divalproex
• * Felbamate
• * Levetiracetam
• * Tiagabine
• * Topiramate
• * Zonisamide