A Trial of 06-BG and BCNU in Children With CNS Tumors

Study start date: May 1, 1999

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically proven CNS tumor that is refractory to conventional therapy or for which no effective therapy is known Histological requirement may be waived for brainstem and optic gliomas Stratum 2: No bone marrow involvement PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 21 and under Performance status: Karnofsky 50-100% OR Lansky 50-100% Life expectancy: At least 8 weeks Absolute neutrophil count at least 1500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 (stratum 2: at least 125,000/mm3) Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL SGOT/SGPT no greater than 2.5 times normal Creatinine or GFR normal for age If required, DLCO must be 80% of normal and patient old enough to cooperate for DLCO test Neurologic deficits must be stable for at least 2 weeks prior to study Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: At least 7 days since prior biologic therapy or immunotherapy and recovered At least 6 months since prior bone marrow transplant (stratum 1 only) At least 7 days since prior growth factors No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) prophylaxis Stratum 2: No prior bone marrow transplantation At least 2 weeks since prior myelosuppressive chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosourea) and recovered Stratum 2: No greater than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens No prior nitrosourea therapy If receiving dexamethasone, must be on stable or decreasing dose for at least 2 weeks prior to study At least 2 weeks since prior local palliative radiotherapy (small port) At least 6 months since prior substantial bone marrow radiation, total body irradiation, hemipelvic radiotherapy, or total abdominal/pelvic/chest or mantle/Y ports radiotherapy Recovered from prior radiotherapy Stratum 2: No prior central axis radiation No other concurrent anticancer or investigational agents