Patient description: The patient is a 47-year-old Asian woman complaining of persistent feelings of sadness. She lost interest in activities she used to enjoy. She states that her mood is mostly depressed for the past 3 weeks. She also lost her appetite , which led to about 5kg weight loss. She complains of loss of energy and feelings of worthlessness nearly every day. She is not using any drugs and she does not smoke. She doesn't drink alcohol. She used to exercise every day for at least 30 min. But she doesn't have enough energy to do so for the past 3 weeks. She also has some digestive issues recently. She is married and has 4 children. She is menopausal. Her husband was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and he is starting his chemotherapy. There is nothing remarkable in her past medical history and her drug history is only positive for Vit D3 1000 units daily. Her family history is negative for any psychologic problems. Her HAM-D score is 20.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-999.0,  Brain Metastases Generalized Malignancy, Primary Brain Lesions Must have histologically or cytologically confirmed non-central nervous system primary solid malignancy Must have pathologically or radiologically confirmed metastatic disease in the brain Potential participants with up to 3 brain metastases (symptomatic and non-symptomatic) can be treated on this study. Maximum diameter of each brain lesion should be ≤ 5 cm. Maximum tumor volume ≤ 120 cc Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤2 (Karnofsky ≥60%) Life expectancy of greater than 12 weeks Patients requiring treatment with corticosteroids are eligible Treatment with non-enzyme inducing anti-seizure medications is allowed Must have normal organ and marrow function Systemic chemotherapy washout period ≥ 7 days. For investigational dugs and monoclonal antibodies washout period ≥ 5x drug half-life. There are no limitations on number of prior treatment regimens Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. Men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to the study, for the duration of study participation, and 4 months after completion of TPI 287 administration  Patients who have had chemotherapy within 1 week (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) or investigational therapies/monoclonal antibodies within 5 half-life of investigational compound or those who have adverse events which are greater than grade 1 and are due to agents administered more than 1 week earlier. Bisphosphonates, endocrine therapy, and trastuzumab are permitted without restriction Are receiving any other investigational agents Previous treatment of the target lesions with radiation therapy Have previously been treated with whole brain radiation History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to TPI 287 Have brain metastases secondary to germ cell tumor or lymphoma malignancy Women who are pregnant or nursing (lactating) Known contraindication to enhanced MRI and CT scan Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, uncontrolled seizure activity or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements