RATIONALE: Zoledronate may prevent bone loss in patients with primary malignant glioma.

PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well zoledronate works in preventing osteoporosis in patients with primary malignant glioma.

This is an open-labeled trial to determine the incidence of osteoporosis in brain tumor patients and effect of Zometa every three months. Zometa will be given at 4 mg intravenously over 15 minutes every 3 months for 1 year. The patients will undergo a baseline bone densitometry test that will be repeated at six months and one year. Information on the patient's tolerability of Zometa as well as any skeletal-related complications that happen will be collected. Data with respect to the dose and duration of glucocorticoids and anticonvulsants will be collected since both of these therapies have shown to directly affect bone density. Serial markers (N-telopeptide) of bone turn over will be collected at baseline and every 3 months prior to the infusion of Zometa. Karnofsky performance status will be monitored as a function of mobility.

Accrual Goal 60 patients over a 18-month period, averaging 3-4 new enrollees per month. Thirty-five patients to reach the 6-month assessment.

OBJECTIVES:

• To determine the bone mineral density of the patients at baseline and any changes over 12 months while receiving Zometa every 3 months.
• To determine the incidence of skeletal-related complications in this cohort of brain tumor patients.
• To determine the safety and tolerability of Zometa in brain tumor patients.
• To determine the effects of glucocorticoids and anticonvulsants on bone density.

Response Criteria The primary efficacy endpoint will be the patient's bone densitometry, and how it changes over the course of one year of Zometa therapy. The bone densitometry after 6 months and 12 months of Zometa will be compared to the baseline. The secondary efficacy variable will be the prevention of skeletal-related events (compression fracture, any fracture requiring surgery) which given the heterogeneity of the patient population will be a qualitative variable. Date with respect to the dose and duration of glucocorticoids and anticonvulsants will be collected since both of these therapies have shown to directly affect bone density. Serial markers (N-telopeptide) of bone turn over will be collected.

Outcome assessment The patient's bone densitometry will be determined by Dexa-scan at the baseline, after six months of Zometa and after one year of Zometa. The bone density (Dexa- scan) will be reviewed by the outside radiologist or Duke radiology in conjunction with the primary investigator. A decrease of > -0.5 on the T-score will be coded as a treatment failure and patients will be discontinued from the study and referred to Endocrinology or Orthopedic Surgery for best clinical management. In addition, any skeletal-related event (fractures) will be coded as a treatment failure. The patient population will be heterogeneous in terms of their functional capacity, exercise capacity, anticonvulsant and glucocorticoid dos

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients must have histologically confirmed diagnosis of a primary brain tumor.

2. Patients must be on Depakote ( Valproic Acid) or one of the following enzyme inducing anticonvulsants (EIAC) therapies. Phenobarbital, Dilantin, Trileptal, Tegretol and/or on more than physiologic replacement steroid therapy (Dexamethasone >0.75 mg/d, prednisone >5 mg/d or hydrocortisone >20 mg/d).

3. Age > 18 years.

4. Karnofsky performance score > 60%

5. Adequate renal and liver function as demonstrated by laboratory values performed within 14 days, inclusive, prior to the administration of Zometa, except for the creatinine, which will be within 72 hs of Zometa administration:

   • Serum creatinine < 2.0 mg/dl and calculated creatinine clearance of >60 mL/min
   • Total serum bilirubin < 1.5 times upper limit of laboratory normal
   • Serum glutamoc-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) < 2.5 times upper limit of laboratory normal
   • Alkaline phosphatase of <2 times upper limit of laboratory normal

6. Patients must have recovered from any effects of major surgery.

7. Patients must have a life expectancy of greater than 12 weeks.

8. Patients or legal guardian must give written, informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who are poor medical risks because of non-malignant systemic disease as well as those with acute infection treated with intravenous antibiotics.
2. Previous or concurrent malignancies at other sites with the exception of surgically cured carcinoma in-situ of the cervix and basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
3. Known HIV positivity or AIDS-related illness.
4. Pregnant or nursing women.
5. Women of childbearing potential who are not using an effective method of contraception. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test 72hours prior to administration of study and be practicing medically approved contraceptive precautions.
6. Men who are not advised to use and effective method of contraception.
7. Patients previously diagnosed with osteoporosis requiring oral bisphosphonates.
8. Known hypersensitivity to Zometa® (zoledronic acid) or other bisphosphonates
9. Current active dental problems including infection of the teeth or jawbone osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), of exposed bone in the mouth, or of slow healing after dental procedures.
10. Recent (within 6 weeks) or planned dental or jaw surgery (e.g.. extraction, implants).

All Adverse Events regardless of grade over a period of 1 year

Common Terminology for Adverse Events (CTCAE)3.0 used for collecting adverse events (AEs). Converted to 4.0 for this report. Serious Adverse Events(SAE): of the 16 pts affected by an SAE only, 3 were possibly, probably, or definitely related to Zometa. AEs: Of the 27 pts affected by an AE 12 were possibly, probably, or definitely related to Zometa.

Limitations include early pt termination leading to small numbers of subjects analyzed (eg no BMD study at 6 and/or 12 mos)secondary to the poor overall survival (eg median survival 3-9 mos)associated with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme(GBM) pts.