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