CC-5013 in Treating Patients With Recurrent Glioma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * One of the following: * Histologically confirmed high-grade glioma * Glioblastoma multiforme * Gliosarcoma * Anaplastic astrocytoma * Anaplastic oligodendroglioma * Anaplastic mixed oligoastrocytoma * Malignant glioma/astrocytoma, not otherwise specified * Meningioma * Hemangioblastoma * Ependymoma * Primitive neuroectodermal tumors * Hemangiopericytoma * Progressive glioma * Clinically and radiographically diagnosed brain stem glioma * Progressive or recurrent disease as determined by CT scan or MRI * Biopsy allowed for prior recent (i.e., within the past 12 weeks) resection of recurrent or progressive tumor * Must have failed prior radiotherapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: * More than 8 weeks Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 2,300/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 90,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL (transfusions allowed) Hepatic: * Bilirubin less than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT less than 3 times ULN * No significant active hepatic disease Renal: * Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL OR * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min * No significant active renal disease Cardiovascular: * No significant active cardiac disease Other: * No other malignancy within the past 3 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No significant active psychiatric disease * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 2 months after study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 2 weeks since prior interferon * No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: * At least 6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas * At least 4 weeks since prior temozolomide or carboplatin * At least 3 weeks since prior procarbazine * At least 2 weeks since prior vincristine * At least 4 weeks since other prior cytotoxic chemotherapy * No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * At least 2 weeks since prior tamoxifen * Concurrent steroids allowed for control of the signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure if on a stable dose for at least the past 5 days Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy * No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 2 weeks since prior tumor resection Other: * At least 2 weeks since other prior noncytotoxic agents * Concurrent enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs allowed * No concurrent rifampin * No concurrent grapefruit juice * No other concurrent investigational agents