VNP40101M and Temozolomide in Treating Patients With Progressive or Relapsed Malignant Glioma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Inclusion criteria: * Histologically proven malignant glioma including any of the following: * Glioblastoma multiforme * Gliosarcoma * Anaplastic astrocytoma * Anaplastic oligodendroglioma * Anaplastic mixed oligoastrocytoma * Malignant astrocytoma not otherwise specified * Unequivocal evidence of tumor recurrence or progression by MRI or CT scan with contrast * No more than one relapse * Patients having undergone recent resection of recurrent or progressive tumor will be eligible as long as all of the following conditions apply: * More than 2 weeks from surgery and have recovered from the effects of surgery * Evaluable or measurable disease following resection of recurrent tumor is not mandated for eligibility into the study if a treatment failure can be evaluated * Enhanced CT scan/ MRI should be done no later than 96 hours in the immediate post-operative period or 4-6 weeks post-operatively * If the 96-hour scan is more than 2 weeks from registration, the scan needs to be repeated * A baseline scan should be performed within 14 days prior to registration and on a steroid dosage that has been stable for 5 or more days otherwise a new baseline MRI/CT is required * The same type of scan (i.e., MRI or CT scan) must be used throughout the period of protocol treatment for tumor measurement * Must have failed prior external-beam radiotherapy * Must have failed one prior systemic treatment with chemotherapy or biologic agents PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Inclusion criteria: * Karnofsky performance status 60-100% * Life expectancy \> 12 weeks * WBC \> 3,000/mm³ * ANC \> 1,500/mm³ * Platelet count \> 100,000/mm³ * Hemoglobin \> 10 mg/dL * AST and ALT \< 4 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Bilirubin \< 2 times ULN * Creatinine \< 1.5 times ULN * Fertile patients must use acceptable contraceptive methods (abstinence, intrauterine device \[IUD\], oral contraceptive or double barrier device) * Negative pregnancy test * Not pregnant or nursing Exclusion criteria: * Active uncontrolled bleeding * Active infection of any kind * Unwilling or unable to follow protocol requirements or to give informed consent * Active heart disease including any of the following: * Myocardial infarction within the past 3 months * Uncontrolled arrhythmias * Uncontrolled coronary artery disease * Uncontrolled congestive heart failure * Known HIV-positive patients (HIV testing is not required) * History of any other cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in-situ of the cervix) unless in complete remission and off all therapy for that disease for a minimum of 3 years PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Inclusion criteria: * See Disease Characteristics * Recovered from prior therapy * At least 2 weeks since prior vincristine * More than 4 weeks since prior cytotoxic therapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) * More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy * More than 4 weeks since prior experimental biologic agents (e.g., EGFR inhibitors, etc) * More than 3 weeks since prior procarbazine administration * More than 2 weeks since prior non-cytotoxic agents (e.g., interferon, tamoxifen, thalidomide, or isotretinoin) * Radiosensitizer does not count * At least 2 weeks since prior and no concurrent enzyme inducing anticonvulsants * If patient is on an enzyme inducing anticonvulsant, they may be converted to a non-enzyme inducing anticonvulsant Exclusion criteria: * Any other concurrent standard or investigational treatment for cancer, or any other investigational agent for any indication * Concurrent disulfiram