EMD 121974 in Treating Patients With Progressive or Recurrent Glioma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed malignant glioma that is progressive or recurrent after radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy Eligible subtypes: Anaplastic astrocytoma Anaplastic oligodendroglioma Glioblastoma multiforme Prior low-grade glioma that has progressed to a high-grade glioma (by biopsy) after radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy allowed Measurable disease by volumetric and magnetic resonance perfusion scan Prior biopsy or resection of recurrent brain tumor allowed PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal Transaminases no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No advanced coronary artery disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No serious concurrent infection or medical illness that would preclude study No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated carcinoma in situ or basal cell skin cancer No history of wound healing disorders No peptic ulcer disease within the past year Mini mental score of at least 15 Willing and able to undergo MRI PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens Endocrine therapy: Prior corticosteroids allowed if on stable dose for at least 5 days prior to study Concurrent corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone) allowed as clinically needed Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 3 months since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 1 week since prior surgery and recovered No concurrent elective surgery or dental extractions Other: No other concurrent investigational agents