RATIONALE: Current therapies for adults with recurrent or refractory mixed gliomas provide very limited benefit to the patient. The anti-cancer properties of Antineoplaston therapy suggest that it may prove beneficial in the treatment of adults with recurrent or refractory mixed gliomas.

PURPOSE: This study is being performed to determine the effects (good and bad) that Antineoplaston therapy has on adults with recurrent or refractory mixed gliomas.

OBJECTIVES:

• To determine the efficacy of Antineoplaston therapy in adults with recurrent or refractory mixed gliomas as measured by an objective response to therapy (complete response, partial response or stable disease).
• To determine the safety and tolerance of Antineoplaston therapy in adults with recurrent or refractory mixed gliomas.

OVERVIEW: This is a single arm, open-label study in which adults with recurrent or refractory mixed gliomas receive gradually escalating doses of intravenous Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal) until the maximum tolerated dose is reached. Treatment continues for at least 12 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After 12 months, patients with a complete or partial response or with stable disease may continue treatment.

To determine objective response, tumor size is measured utilizing MRI scans, which are performed every 8 weeks for the first two years, every 3 months for the third and fourth years, every 6 months for the 5th and sixth years, and annually thereafter.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 20-40 patients will be accrued to this study

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed incurable primary mixed glioma that is recurrent or refractory following standard therapy, including radiation therapy
• Evidence of recurrent or refractory tumor by MRI scan performed within two weeks prior to study entry
• Must have received and failed standard therapy
• Tumor must be at least 5 mm

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

• At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

• WBC at least 2000/mm3
• Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3

Hepatic:

• No hepatic insufficiency
• Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/mL
• SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

• No renal insufficiency
• Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/mL
• No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Cardiovascular:

• No known chronic heart failure
• No uncontrolled hypertension
• No history of congestive heart failure
• No other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Pulmonary:

• No severe lung disease
• No severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study
• No other severe medical illness
• No nonmalignant systemic disease
• No active infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas)

Endocrine therapy:

• Concurrent corticosteroids allowed

Radiotherapy:

• At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy (unless there is evidence of disease progression)

Surgery:

• Fully recovered from prior surgery

Other:

• Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed
• No prior antineoplaston therapy

10 years, 4 months

Adverse event data was collected through regular patient assessment and regular laboratory testing