Irinotecan and Temozolomide in Treating Young Patients With Recurrent Neuroblastoma

Inclusion criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed neuroblastoma AND/OR demonstration of tumor cells in the bone marrow with increased urinary catecholamines at initial diagnosis * Patients with elevated catecholamines only are not eligible * Meets 1 of the following criteria: * Recurrent disease following aggressive, multidrug, frontline chemotherapy, defined as chemotherapy given with ≥ 2 agents, including an alkylating agent and a platinum-containing compound * Resistant/refractory disease during aggressive, multidrug, frontline chemotherapy * Must meet 1 of the following criteria for documentation of disease: * Unidimensionally measurable tumor ≥ 20 mm by MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT scan (Computed Tomography), or x-ray OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan within 4 weeks prior to study entry * Patients with residual stable tumor upon completion of frontline therapy must undergo biopsy to document presence of a viable neuroblastoma * If the measurable target lesion was previously radiated, a biopsy must be performed ≥ 4 weeks after radiation was completed AND the biopsy must demonstrate viable neuroblastoma * MIBG scan (metaiodobenzylguanidine scan, a radiopharmaceutical) with positive uptake at ≥ 1 site within 4 weeks prior to study entry * Patients with residual stable MIBG-positive lesions upon completion of frontline therapy must undergo biopsy to document presence of viable neuroblastoma * If the patient has only 1 MIBG-positive lesion, and that lesion was previously radiated, a biopsy must be performed ≥ 4 weeks after radiation was completed AND the biopsy must demonstrate viable neuroblastoma * Bone marrow with tumor cells on routine morphology (not by neuron-specific enolase staining only) of bilateral aspirate and/or biopsy on 1 bone marrow sample within 2 weeks prior to study entry * No extensive marrow disease * No myelodysplastic syndrome PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Karnofsky performance status (PS) 50-100% (for patients \> 16 years of age) OR Lansky PS 50-100% (for patients ≤ 16 years of age) * Life expectancy ≥ 8 weeks * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 750/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm\^3 (transfusion independent) * Hemoglobin ≥ 8.5 mg/dL (transfusion allowed) * Creatinine adjusted according to age as follows: * No greater than 0.4 mg/dL (≤ 5 months) * No greater than 0.5 mg/dL (6 months -11 months) * No greater than 0.6 mg/dL (1 year-23 months) * No greater than 0.8 mg/dL (2 years-5 years) * No greater than 1.0 mg/dL (6 years-9 years) * No greater than 1.2 mg/dL (10 years-12 years) * No greater than 1.4 mg/dL (13 years and over \[female\]) * No greater than 1.5 mg/dL (13 years to 15 years \[male\]) * No greater than 1.7 mg/dL (16 years and over \[male\]) OR * Creatinine clearance or radioisotope glomerular filtration rate at least 70 mL/min * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) for age * ALT \< 2.5 times ULN for age * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Seizure disorder allowed provided seizures are well controlled on non-EIAC medication * No active diarrhea or uncontrolled infection * No other malignancy, including secondary malignancy PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * Prior front-line therapy (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, or retinoids) allowed * Recovered from prior therapy * More than 4 weeks since prior radiation therapy to the site of any lesion that will be identified as a target lesion to measure tumor response * At least 2 weeks since prior myelosuppressive therapy (4 weeks for nitrosourea) * At least 1 week since prior therapy with an antineoplastic biologic agent or retinoid * At least 1 week since prior growth factors * At least 1 week since prior and no other concurrent anticancer agents * At least 1 week since prior and no concurrent enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants (EIAC), including phenytoin, phenobarbital, valproic acid, or carbamazepine * Concurrent gabapentin or levetiracetam allowed * Concurrent palliative radiation therapy to sites not used to measure tumor response allowed * No prior allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) * Prior autologous SCT allowed * No prior second-line chemotherapy for relapsed or refractory disease * No concurrent immunomodulating agents * Concurrent steroids for transfusion/infusion reactions or for treatment of edema associated with CNS lesions allowed