Radiation Therapy, Temozolomide, and Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically proven glioblastoma multiforme

  • Newly diagnosed disease
• Has undergone diagnostic biopsy or surgical resection within the past 28 days

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG 0-2
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• Hemoglobin > 9 g/L
• Serum creatinine and total serum bilirubin < 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST or ALT < 2.5 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase < 2.5 times ULN
• No other severe underlying disease (including HIV or chronic hepatitis B or C infection)
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• Not pregnant or nursing
• No medical condition that could interfere with the oral administration of temozolomide or erlotinib hydrochloride
• No other malignancy within the past 3 years with the exception of surgically cured carcinoma in situ of the cervix, nonmelanoma skin cancer, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer from which the patient is in complete remission
• No active infection
• No other condition that would preclude ability of the patient to be followed closely at the Cleveland Clinic

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• No prior radiotherapy or chemotherapy for this cancer
• No prior cranial radiotherapy
• No concurrent enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs
• No prior temozolomide or erlotinib hydrochloride
• No other concurrent antineoplastic therapy
• No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) or sargramostim (GM-CSF) during chemotherapy
• No concurrent electron, particle, or implant boost radiotherapy
• No concurrent radiosurgery