Ph I Study of Lithium During Whole Brain Radiotherapy For Patients With Brain Metastases

Exclusion Criteria

• •No requirement for immediate whole-brain radiotherapy
• •No metastases to the midbrain or brainstem
• •Zubrod performance status 0-2
• •Life expectancy ≥ 8 weeks
• •Platelet count \> 100,000/mm\^3
• •ANC \> 1,500/mm\^3
• •Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL
• •BUN \< 25 mg/dL
• •Creatinine \< 1.5 mg/dL
• •Bilirubin \< 1.5 mg/dL
• •ALT ≤ 2 times normal
• •Sodium \> 136 mg/dL
• •Not pregnant or nursing
• •Negative pregnancy test
• •Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• •Neurologically stable
• •* No seizure disorders or seizures due to brain metastases
• •No medical illnesses or psychiatric conditions that would preclude completion of study treatment
• •No sensory neuropathy ≥ grade 2
• •No bipolar disorder
• •No thyroid disease
• •No QTc interval prolongation
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •More than 2 weeks since prior and no concurrent chemotherapy
• •At least 2 weeks since prior and no concurrent NSAIDs, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (e.g., enalapril or captopril), calcium channel blockers, diuretics, selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, acetazolamide, urea, xanthine, or alkalinizing agents (e.g., sodium bicarbonate)
• •No prior radiotherapy to the head and neck area
• •No prior radiosurgery
• •No concurrent radiotherapy to other sites
• •No concurrent anticonvulsants due to brain metastases
• •No concurrent psychoactive drugs
• •No concurrent thyroid medications
• •No concurrent amifostine