Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Adults With Residual/Recurrent/Progressive Glioblastoma Multiforme

RATIONALE: Current therapies for Glioblastoma Multiforme provide very limited benefit to the patient. The anti-cancer properties of Antineoplaston therapy suggest that it may prove beneficial in the treatment of brain tumors.

PURPOSE: This study is being performed to determine the effects (good and bad) that Antineoplaston therapy has on adults (≥ 18 years of age) with residual/recurrent/progressive Glioblastoma Multiforme.

OVERVIEW: This is a single arm, open-label study in which adults (≥ 18 years of age) with residual/recurrent/progressed Glioblastoma Multiforme 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 (≥ 18 years of age) with residual/recurrent/progressive Glioblastoma Multiforme following initial therapy, including radiotherapy, 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 (≥ 18 years of age) with residual/recurrent/progressive Glioblastoma Multiforme.
* 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 confirmed incurable glioblastoma multiforme that has progressed, recurred, or persisted following completion of initial standard therapy (including radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy)

  * Measurable disease by MRI or CT scan
* Brain stem tumor is excluded
* 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 2,000/mm3
* Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3

Hepatic:

* No liver failure
* Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
* SGOT/SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit

Renal:

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

Cardiovascular:

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

Pulmonary:

* No serious lung disease (e.g., severe COPD)

Other:

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Fertile patients must use adequate contraception during and for 4 weeks after study
* No active infection
* No other serious medical or psychiatric conditions

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* At least 4 weeks since immunotherapy
* No concurrent immunomodulating agents

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 4 weeks since chemotherapy (unless radiologically proven progression)
* At least 6 weeks since nitrosoureas

Endocrine therapy:

* Corticosteroids allowed

Radiotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 8 weeks since radiotherapy (unless radiologically proven progression)

Surgery:

* Recovered from prior surgery

Other:

* No prior antineoplaston therapy
* Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed