Cytochlor, Tetrahydrouridine, and External-Beam Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Cancer That Has Spread to the Brain

The study's starting dose of CldC is 50 mg/m2/day. The dose of CldC will be escalated / de-escalated for patients. Patients will receive CldC+H4U on 3 days (Wed, Thr, Fri) in week 1, which precedes the initiation of radiation therapy. Patients will receive H4U and CldC IV by bolus infusion. Treatment with CldC+H4U will then continue for 5 days (Mon-Fri) during each of weeks 2 and 3, and will be accompanied by radiation therapy at 3 Gy/fraction initiated 3-4 h after bolus infusion of CldC+H4U. Treatment with CldC+H4U and radiation will then stop at the end of week 3.

A fixed dose of H4U at 720 mg/m2/day will be used, regardless of the dose of CldC administered. H4U will be delivered by an IV bolus infusion over a period of 5 minutes, followed 5 minutes later by an IV bolus infusion of CldC. Patients will receive CldC+H4U on 3 days (Wed, Thr, Fri) in week 1, which precedes the initiation of radiation therapy. Patients will receive H4U and CldC IV by bolus infusion. Treatment with CldC+H4U will then continue for 5 days (Mon-Fri) during each of weeks 2 and 3, and will be accompanied by radiation therapy at 3 Gy/fraction initiated 3-4 h after bolus infusion of CldC+H4U. Treatment with CldC+H4U and radiation will then stop at the end of week 3.

One treatment of 3 Gy will be given daily 5 days per week (10 fractions) for a total of 30 Gy over two weeks.