Bevacizumab and Irinotecan in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Gliomas

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed primary grade 3 or 4 malignant glioma of 1 of the following types: Glioblastoma multiforme Gliosarcoma Anaplastic astrocytoma Anaplastic oligodendroglioma Patients with recurrent disease whose original diagnostic pathology confirmed malignant glioma will not need re-biopsy Measurable recurrent or residual primary disease on contrast-enhanced MRI or CT scan Failed ≥ 1 prior chemotherapy regimen (with or without radiotherapy) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Karnofsky performance status 60-100% Hematocrit > 29% Absolute neutrophil count > 1,500/mm^3 Platelets > 125,000/mm^3 Serum SGOT and bilirubin < 1.5 times upper limit of normal Creatinine < 1.5 mg/dL Urine protein:creatinine ratio ≤ 1.0 Blood pressure ≤ 150/100 mmHg No unstable angina No New York Heart Association class II or greater congestive heart failure No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No stroke within the past 6 months No clinically significant peripheral vascular disease No evidence of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy No significant traumatic injury within the past 28 days PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: At least 4 weeks must have elapsed since prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy unless there is unequivocal evidence of tumor progression At least 6 weeks since prior surgical resection No previous major surgical procedures or open biopsies within 28 days prior to study entry No previous minor surgical procedures, fine needle aspirations, or core biopsies within 7 days prior to study entry No anticipated need for major surgical procedures during the course of the study No concurrent aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or clopidogrel