Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Low-Grade Astrocytoma

RATIONALE: Current therapies for adult recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma provide limited benefit to the patient. The anti-cancer properties of Antineoplaston therapy suggest that it may prove beneficial in the treatment of adult recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma.

PURPOSE: This study is being performed to determine the effects (good and bad) that Antineoplaston therapy has on adults with a recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma.

OVERVIEW: This is a single arm, open-label study in which adults with a recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma 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.

OBJECTIVES:

* To determine the efficacy of Antineoplaston therapy in adults with a recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma, 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 a recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma.
* 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.

Eligibility Criteria:
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed low-grade astrocytoma that has progressed, recurred, or persisted after initial therapy, including radiotherapy
* Previously treated with at least 1 prior standard therapy (e.g., radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or cytodifferentiating agent)
* Measurable tumor by MRI scan performed within two weeks prior to study entry
* Tumor must be at least 5 mm
* No brain stem tumors

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 18 and over

Performance status:

* Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

* More than 2 months

Hematopoietic:

* WBC at least 2,000/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 50,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
* SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal
* No hepatic failure

Renal:

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

Cardiovascular:

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

Pulmonary:

* No severe lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Other:

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation
* No other concurrent serious disease
* No active infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered
* No concurrent immunomodulating agents

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered
* No concurrent antineoplastic agents

Endocrine therapy:

* Concurrent corticosteroids allowed

Radiotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

* Must recover from prior surgery

Other:

* No prior antineoplastons