OBJECTIVES:

I. Assess the clinical response of patients with refractory or recurrent brain neoplasms treated with carmustine, streptozocin, and mercaptopurine.

PROTOCOL OUTLINE:

Patients receive mercaptopurine IV on days 1-3, carmustine by continuous infusion on days 3-5, and streptozocin IV over 20 minutes on days 2-5. Patients receive treatment every 42 days, for up to 4 courses.

Completion date provided represents the completion date of the grant per OOPD records

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

--Disease Characteristics-- Histologically proven refractory or recurrent brain neoplasms Glioblastoma multiforme Anaplastic astrocytoma Gliosarcoma Anaplastic oligodendroglioma Mixed anaplastic glioma Unequivocally progressive primary brainstem tumors following primary therapy Measurable disease --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy At least 6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas or mitomycin Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Prior radiotherapy allowed Surgery: Prior surgery allowed --Patient Characteristics-- Age: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Karnofsky 60-100% Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL SGOT no greater than 4 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Pulmonary: FEV1 greater than 1 L if symptomatic pulmonary disease present Other: No other concurrent malignancies Not pregnant or lactating Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception