DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically proven primary or metastatic malignant supratentorial anaplastic glioma

  • Newly diagnosed or recurrent
  • No diffusely infiltrating or multifocal tumor
  • No tumor with subependymal spread
• Resection of glioma and placement of an intralesional catheter into the surgical cavity required before study

• Measurable lesion on enhanced CT scan or MRI

  • No measurable enhancing lesion greater than 1.0 cm beyond cavity margin
• Neoplastic cell reactivity with tenascin demonstrated by immunohistology with either a polyclonal rabbit antibody or a monoclonal murine antibody

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 3 and over

Performance status:

• Karnofsky 50-100%

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm^3
• Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL
• AST less than 1.5 times normal
• Alkaline phosphatase less than 1.5 times normal

Renal:

• Creatinine less than 1.2 mg/dL

Other:

• Not pregnant
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• At least 6 weeks since prior chemotherapy unless unequivocal evidence of tumor progression

Endocrine therapy:

• Corticosteroids allowed if at lowest possible dose and dose stable for at least 10 days prior to entry

Radiotherapy:

• At least 3 months since prior radiotherapy to site of measurable disease unless unequivocal evidence of tumor progression

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics