Study of Blood Samples and Risk of Infection in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Malignant Supratentorial Astrocytoma

You may be eligible if

• 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