FR901228 in Treating Patients With Recurrent High-Grade Gliomas

Inclusion Criteria: Phase I and phase II: Histologically confirmed recurrent intracranial malignant glioma, including any of the following: Glioblastoma multiforme Gliosarcoma Anaplastic astrocytoma Anaplastic oligodendroglioma Anaplastic mixed oligoastrocytoma Malignant astrocytoma not otherwise specified Unequivocal evidence of tumor progression by MRI or CT scan while on a steroid dosage that has been stable for at least 5 days Patients previously treated with interstitial brachytherapy or stereotactic radiosurgerymust have confirmation of true progressive disease (rather than radiation necrosis) by positron-emission tomography, thallium scan, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, or surgical documentation Must have failed prior radiotherapy that was completed at least 6 weeks ago No more than 2 prior therapies (initial treatment and treatment for 1 relapse)* Surgical resection for relapsed disease with no anticancer therapy for up to 12 weeks, followed by a second surgical resection, is considered treatment for 1 relapse Patients in group B must have been receiving enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs) for at least the past 2 weeks Performance status - Karnofsky 60-100% More than 8 weeks WBC ≥ 3,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL (transfusions allowed) SGOT < 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Bilirubin < 2 times ULN Creatinine < 1.5 mg/dL No congestive heart failure (i.e., New York Heart Association class II-IV, ejection fraction < 40% by MUGA scan or < 50% by echocardiogram and/or MRI) No myocardial infarction within the past year No uncontrolled dysrhythmias No poorly controlled angina No significant left ventricular hypertrophy by EKG No cardiac ischemia (ST depression of 2 mm) by EKG No hypertrophic or restrictive cardiomyopathy from prior treatment or other causes No uncontrolled hypertension (i.e., blood pressure ≥ 160/95 mm Hg) No cardiac arrhythmia requiring antiarrhythmic medication No known cardiac abnormalities (e.g., congenital long QT syndrome and QTc interval > 480 milliseconds) No history of sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, Torsade de Pointes, or cardiac arrest unless controlled with concurrent automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator No known history of coronary artery disease (e.g., Canadian class II-IV angina) No other significant cardiac disease No other malignancy within the past 3 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No active infection No significant uncontrolled medical illness that would preclude study participation No disease that would obscure toxicity or dangerously alter drug metabolism Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for at least 2 weeks after study participation Fertile male patients must continue barrier contraception for 3 months after study participation At least 1 week since prior interferon or thalidomide No concurrent prophylactic filgrastim (G-CSF) No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy At least 2 weeks since prior vincristine At least 6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas At least 3 weeks since prior procarbazine No prior FR901228 (depsipeptide) No other concurrent anticancer chemotherapy See Disease Characteristics At least 1 week since prior tamoxifen No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy See Disease Characteristics No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy See Disease Characteristics Prior recent resection of recurrent or progressive tumor allowed if patient has recovered Recovered from all prior therapy At least 2 weeks since prior EIAEDs (patients in Group A only) At least 4 weeks since prior cytotoxic therapy At least 4 weeks since prior investigational agents At least 1 week since prior isotretinoin At least 1 week since other prior non-cytotoxic therapy (except radiosensitizers) No concurrent valproic acid No concurrent hydrochlorothiazide No concurrent medication that causes QTc prolongation No other concurrent anticancer therapy No other concurrent investigational drugs