Active clinical trials for "Nervous System Neoplasms"

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Computer systems that allow doctors to create a 3-dimensional picture of the tumor in order to plan treatment may result in more effective radiation therapy. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase I/II trial to study the effectiveness of radiation therapy that has been planned with a computer plus chemotherapy in treating patients who have glioblastoma multiforme.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of temozolomide in treating adults with newly diagnosed primary malignant glioblastoma multiforme.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of temozolomide in treating patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of irinotecan in treating patients who have recurrent glioma.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining chemotherapy with peripheral stem cell transplantation may allow the doctors to give higher doses of chemotherapy drugs and kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of combination chemotherapy plus peripheral stem cell transplantation in treating infants with malignant brain or spinal cord tumors.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining more than one drug may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of temozolomide and carmustine in treating patients with anaplastic glioma.

RATIONALE: Penicillamine may stop the growth of glioblastomas by stopping blood flow to the tumor. A diet low in copper may interfere with the growth of brain tumor cells. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining these therapies may be effective in treating glioblastoma. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of penicillamine, a low copper diet, and radiation therapy in treating patients who have newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies can locate tumor cells and deliver radioactive tumor-killing substances such as radioactive iodine to them without harming normal cells. PURPOSE: This randomized phase I/II trial is studying the side effects, best way to give, and best dose of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody and to see how well it works in treating patients with primary brain tumors.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as valproic acid, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Valproic acid may also stop the growth of solid tumors or CNS tumors by blocking blood flow to the tumor. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of valproic acid in treating patients with recurrent or refractory solid tumors or CNS tumors.

RATIONALE: Suramin may stop the growth of glioblastoma multiforme by stopping blood flow to the tumor. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining suramin with radiation therapy may be a more effective treatment for glioblastoma multiforme. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of suramin plus radiation therapy in treating patients who have newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme.