DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed newly diagnosed or recurrent supratentorial primary or metastatic malignant brain tumor

• Measurable disease by MRI or CT scan

  • Candidate for surgical resection
  • Extension of tumor no more than 1.0 cm beyond the margin of the surgical cavity
• Demonstrated reactivity of tumor cells with tenascin by immunohistology with either a polyclonal rabbit antibody or the monoclonal mouse antibody
• No infratentorial tumors, diffusely infiltrating tumors, tumors with subependymal spread, or multifocal tumors

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Karnofsky 50-100%

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1000/mm^3
• Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

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

Renal:

• Creatinine less than 1.2 mg/dL

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• 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 progression

Endocrine therapy:

• Concurrent corticosteroids allowed, but must be on stable dose for at least 1 week

Radiotherapy:

• At least 3 months since prior radiotherapy to site of measurable disease in the CNS

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics