Procarbazine and Isotretinoin in Treating Patients With Recurrent Primary Malignant Gliomas
Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors focused on measuring recurrent adult brain tumor, adult glioblastoma, adult anaplastic astrocytoma, adult anaplastic oligodendroglioma, adult mixed glioma, adult giant cell glioblastoma, adult gliosarcoma
Eligibility Criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven primary malignant gliomas including the following: Glioblastoma multiforme Gliosarcoma Anaplastic astrocytoma Anaplastic oligodendroglioma Anaplastic infiltrating glioma Mixed malignant gliomas Must show evidence of tumor recurrence or progression on at least 2 serial enhanced MRI scans Must have measurably enhancing residual disease on MRI or CT scan of brain PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 16 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: Greater than 8 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: SGPT less than 2 times institutional normal Alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times institutional normal Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: BUN less than 1.5 times institutional normal OR Creatinine less than 1.5 times institutional normal Other: No active infection Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception 1 month before, during, and 1 month after study No other disease that will obscure toxicity or alter drug metabolism No other concurrent medical illness PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior procarbazine No prior isotretinoin At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Prior radiotherapy allowed Surgery: Not specified Other: No concurrent tetracyclines
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Experimental
Arm I (Procarbazine + Isotretinoin)
Arm II (Procarbazine Alone)
Arm I: Oral procarbazine once daily on days 1-14 every 28 days, and Oral isotretinoin every 12 hours on days 15-28 every 28 days; 6 courses of combined therapy, then continue oral isotretinoin alone on days 15-28 of each 28 day course.
Arm II: Oral Procarbazine once daily on days 1-14 followed by 2 weeks of rest for a total of 6 courses of treatment.