CC-5013 in Treating Patients With Recurrent Glioma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: One of the following: Histologically confirmed high-grade glioma Glioblastoma multiforme Gliosarcoma Anaplastic astrocytoma Anaplastic oligodendroglioma Anaplastic mixed oligoastrocytoma Malignant glioma/astrocytoma, not otherwise specified Meningioma Hemangioblastoma Ependymoma Primitive neuroectodermal tumors Hemangiopericytoma Progressive glioma Clinically and radiographically diagnosed brain stem glioma Progressive or recurrent disease as determined by CT scan or MRI Biopsy allowed for prior recent (i.e., within the past 12 weeks) resection of recurrent or progressive tumor Must have failed prior radiotherapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: More than 8 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC at least 2,300/mm^3 Platelet count at least 90,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL (transfusions allowed) Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT less than 3 times ULN No significant active hepatic disease Renal: Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min No significant active renal disease Cardiovascular: No significant active cardiac disease Other: No other malignancy within the past 3 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No significant active psychiatric disease Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 2 months after study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 2 weeks since prior interferon No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: At least 6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas At least 4 weeks since prior temozolomide or carboplatin At least 3 weeks since prior procarbazine At least 2 weeks since prior vincristine At least 4 weeks since other prior cytotoxic chemotherapy No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 2 weeks since prior tamoxifen Concurrent steroids allowed for control of the signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure if on a stable dose for at least the past 5 days Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 2 weeks since prior tumor resection Other: At least 2 weeks since other prior noncytotoxic agents Concurrent enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs allowed No concurrent rifampin No concurrent grapefruit juice No other concurrent investigational agents