ZD 1839 in Treating Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme in First Relapse

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed glioblastoma multiforme in first relapse PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: More than 12 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No symptomatic congestive heart failure No unstable angina pectoris No cardiac arrhythmia Other: No other uncontrolled concurrent illness No ongoing or active infection No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance No prior allergic reactions to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to ZD 1839 Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception Ocular inflammation must be fully treated before study entry PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered Endocrine therapy: Must be on stable dose of steroids for at least 1 week Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: At least 1 week since prior surgery Other: No other concurrent investigational agents No other concurrent anticancer therapy No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV No concurrent enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant drugs