Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed incurable anaplastic astrocytoma that has progressed,
recurred, or persisted after completion of standard therapy (including radiation
therapy)

- Measurable disease by MRI or CT scan

- Tumor must be at least 5 mm

- Must have received prior standard therapy (i.e., radiation therapy, chemotherapy,
immunotherapy, or cytodifferentiating agent)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

- At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

- WBC at least 2000/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

- SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal

- No hepatic failure

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

- No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Cardiovascular:

- No uncontrolled hypertension

- No history of congestive heart failure

- No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of
sodium

Pulmonary:

- No serious lung disease such as severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study

- No active infection

- No other serious concurrent disease

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered

- No concurrent immunomodulating agents

Chemotherapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered

- No concurrent antineoplastic agents

Endocrine therapy:

- Concurrent corticosteroids allowed

Radiotherapy:

- At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

- Fully recovered from any prior surgery

Other:

- Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed

- No prior antineoplaston therapy