GW572016 to Treat Recurrent Malignant Brain Tumors

Patients with histologically proven intracranial tumors to include only glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and Gliosarcoma (GS). Patients will be eligible if the original histology was low-grade glioma and a subsequent histological diagnosis of a GBM is made.

Unstained slides (at least 5, but prefer 10) or 1 tissue block must be available from at least one prior surgery. If available, frozen tissue is also requested from earlier surgeries.

Patients must be candidates for surgical re-resection (total, or sub-total) in order to be eligible for this study. Following surgery, a scan should be done no later than 96 hours.

Patients may be on a non-enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs (Non-EIAED's). They may not be on EIAED's. If previously on an EIAED, patient must be off of it for two weeks prior to initiation of pre-operative drug.

Cardiac ejection fraction within the institutional range of normal as measured by echocardiogram or MUGA scan (within 42 days of registration).

All patients must sign an informed consent indicating that they are aware of the investigational nature of this study. Patients must have signed an authorization for the release of their protected health information. Patients must be registered in the NABTC database prior to treatment with study drug.

Patients must be greater than or equal to 18 years old, and with a life expectancy greater than 8 weeks.

Patients must have a Karnofsky performance status of greater than or equal to 60.

Patients must have recovered from the toxic effects of prior therapy and at least 28 days from any investigational agent, 28 days from prior cytotoxic therapy, 28 days from radiation, 14 days from vincristine, 42 days from nitrosoureas, 21 days from procarbazine administration, and 7 days from non-cytotoxic agents, e.g., interferon, tamoxifen, thalidomide, cis-retinoic acid, etc. (radiosensitizer does not count). Any questions related to the definition of non-cytotoxic agents should be directed to the Study Chair.

Patients must have adequate bone marrow function (WBC greater than or equal to 3,000/microl, ANC greater than or equal to 1,500/mm(3), platelet count of greater than or equal to 100,000/mm(3), and hemoglobin greater than or equal to 10 gm/dl), adequate liver function (SGOT and bilirubin less than 2.5 times ULN), and adequate renal function (creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL before starting therapy. These tests must be performed within 14 days prior to registration. Eligibility level for hemoglobin may be reached by transfusion.

Patients must have shown unequivocal evidence for tumor progression by MRI or CT scan. Stable dose of steroids is not mandated for this study. The same type of scan, i.e., MRI or CT must be used throughout the period of protocol treatment for tumor measurement.

Patients must have failed prior radiation therapy.

Patients with prior therapy that included interstitial brachytherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery must have confirmation of true progressive disease rather than radiation necrosis based upon either PET or Thallium scanning, MR spectroscopy or surgical documentation of disease.

Patients may have had treatment for no more than 2 prior relapses. Relapse is defined as progression following initial therapy (i.e. radiation+/- chemo [which includes gliadel wafers] if that was used as initial therapy). The intent therefore is that patients had no more than 3 prior therapies (initial and treatment for 2 relapses). If the patient had a surgical resection for relapsed disease and no anti-cancer therapy was instituted for up to 12 weeks, and the patient undergoes another surgical resection, this is considered as 1 relapse. For patients who had prior therapy for a low-grade glioma, the surgical diagnosis of a high-grade glioma will be considered the first relapse.

Eligibility to restart drug post-op.

Patients must agree to practice adequate contraception. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative B-HCG pregnancy test documented within 7 days prior to registration.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA (General):

Patients may not be on any medications listed in section 3.2.1

Patients must not have any significant medical illnesses that in the investigator's opinion cannot be adequately controlled with appropriate therapy or would compromise the patient's ability to tolerate this therapy.

Patients with a history of any other cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in-situ of the cervix), unless in complete remission and off of all therapy for that disease for a minimum of 3 years are ineligible.

Patients must not have active infection or serious intercurrent medical illness.

Women of childbearing potential must not be pregnant/breast feeding. Patients must not be pregnant because no studies with this drug have been performed to evaluate safety.

HIV-Positive patients receiving combination anti-retroviral therapy are excluded from the study due to possible retro-viral drug interactions.

Patients must not have any disease that will obscure toxicity or dangerously alter drug metabolism.

Patients must not have received prior therapy with Signal transduction inhibitors (e.g. ZD1839, OSI-774, R115777)