CCI-779 in Treating Patients With Malignant Glioma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed intracranial malignant glioma * Glioblastoma multiforme * Anaplastic astrocytoma * Anaplastic oligodendroglioma * Anaplastic mixed oligoastrocytoma * Malignant astrocytoma not otherwise specified * Initial diagnosis of low-grade allowed, if subsequently progressed * Recurrent disease must have documented progression by MRI or CT scan * Progressive disease must have failed prior radiotherapy * Recent resection of recurrent or progressive tumor allowed provided all of the following are met: * Recovered from surgery * CT scan or MRI performed no more than 96 hours postoperatively OR at 4-6 weeks postoperatively * Concurrent steroid dosage must be stable * Confirmation of true progressive disease (by PET, thallium scan, MR spectroscopy, or surgical documentation) required after prior interstitial brachytherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: * More than 8 weeks Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 3,000/mm3 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm3 * Platelet count at least 120,000/mm3 * Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL (transfusion allowed) Hepatic: * Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT less than 1.5 times ULN * Cholesterol less than 350 mg/dL * Triglycerides less than 400 mg/dL Renal: * Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Other: * No active infection * No other malignancy within the past 3 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No significant medical illness that would preclude study * No disease that would obscure toxicity or dangerously alter drug metabolism * No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to CCI-779 or allergy to or inability to receive antihistamines * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 12 weeks after study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 1 week since prior interferon Chemotherapy: * At least 2 weeks since prior vincristine * At least 3 weeks since prior procarbazine * At least 6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas * Phase I: * 2 prior chemotherapy regimens allowed * 1 prior adjuvant regimen and 1 prior regimen for recurrent or progressive disease OR * 2 prior regimens for progressive tumor * Phase II: * No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for recurrent malignant glioma * No prior chemotherapy allowed for stable glioblastoma multiforme Endocrine therapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 1 week since prior tamoxifen Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy for progressive disease * No more than 1 month since prior radiotherapy for nonprogressive glioblastoma multiforme Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics Other: * Recovered from prior therapy * At least 1 week since prior noncytotoxic agents