• Progression free survival [ Time Frame: until tumor progression ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• To evaluate the prognostic impact of methylated MGMT status. [ Time Frame: at the end of study ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• To collect preliminary data on the efficacy of this regimen and impact of MGMT status in other malignant glioma subtypes. [ Time Frame: at the end of study ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

• -Progression free survival
• -To evaluate the prognostic impact of methylated MGMT status.
• -To collect preliminary data on the efficacy of this regimen and impact of MGMT status in other malignant glioma subtypes.

Patients have a newly diagnosed brain tumor called a malignant glioma and participate in the study to see if it is possible to increase the benefit of temozolomide when given after radiation. A recent study showed that patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma lived longer when treated with both temozolomide and radiotherapy followed by 6 months of temozolomide than patients treated with radiotherapy alone. Patients will receive standard low dose temozolomide during radiation. After radiation, they will be randomized to receive either more intense temozolomide or continuous low dose temozolomide.

This is a randomized phase II study that will test two different adjuvant temozolomide regimens in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. The goal of this study is to identify a regimen that would be appropriate to bring to a phase III trial and compare to the standard dosing regimen of temozolomide recently reported by Stupp et al. in the New England Journal of Medicine. Secondary goals of this study include: prospective analysis of the prognostic impact of MGMT status and generation of preliminary data regarding this treatment strategy for other types of malignant glioma.

The decision regarding which treatment patients receive is made randomly. Neither them or their doctor can select which treatment the patient will receive. There is reason to believe that both of these doses may benefit treating your brain tumor. After 6 months of chemotherapy, and assuming the brain tumor has not shown any sign of growth, they will begin receiving cis-retinoic acid. Cis retinoic acid has been shown in one study to possibly prevent or delay tumor recurrence.

• Glioblastoma
• Gliomas

• Active Comparator: Concurrent temozolomide and radiotherapy plus lose dose of temozolomide
• Experimental: Concurrent temozolomide and radiotherapy plus high dose of temozolomide

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pathologic evidence of a malignant glioma.
• Tissue block or unstained slides must be available for MGMT analysis.
• Age 18-70
• KPS > 50
• Granulocyte count >1.5 X 109/L
• Platelet count >99 X 109/L
• SGOT < 2.5X upper limit of normal (ULN).
• Serum creatinine < 2X ULN.
• Bilirubin < 2X ULN.
• All patients must sign written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any prior chemotherapy, radiotherapy and biologic therapy for glioma.
• Any prior experimental therapy for glioma.
• Other concurrent active malignancy (with the exception of cervical carcinoma in situ or basal cell ca of the skin).
• Serious medical or psychiatric illness that would in the opinion of the investigator would interfere with the prescribed treatment.
• Pregnant or breast feeding women.
• Refusal to use effective contraception.