Sirolimus in Treating Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme

Inclusion criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed intracranial glioblastoma multiforme * Disease progression by MRI or CT scan * Confirmation of true progressive disease (not radiation necrosis) by positron-emission tomography, thallium scanning, MRI, or surgical documentation required if patient received prior interstitial brachytherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery * Failed prior radiotherapy * Phase I patients: * Eligible for salvage surgery * No limits on prior therapy * Phase II patients: * Tumor progression by MRI or CT scan required within the past 14 days if recurrent disease is present * No prior therapy for more than 3 relapses * Recent resection of recurrent or progressive tumor allowed as long as all of the following conditions apply: * Recovered from surgery * MRI or CT scan performed no more than 96 hours since prior surgery OR within 4-6 weeks after surgery * Baseline MRI or CT scan performed within 14 days of study entry PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy * More than 8 weeks Hematopoietic * WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * 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 Renal * Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL Other * Cholesterol less than 350 mg/dL * Triglycerides less than 400 mg/dL * No concurrent disease that would obscure toxicity or dangerously alter drug metabolism * No other significant uncontrolled serious medical illness that would preclude study participation * No other cancer except non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix unless patient is in complete remission and off all therapy for that disease for at least 3 years * No active infection * No prior allergic reactions to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to sirolimus * No psychiatric illness that would preclude study participation * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception 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 Endocrine therapy * At least 1 week since prior tamoxifen Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery * See Disease Characteristics Other * Recovered from prior therapy * At least 1 week since prior noncytotoxic agents (except radiosensitizers)