External-Beam Radiation Therapy With or Without Indinavir and Ritonavir in Treating Patients With Brain Metastases

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Indinavir and ritonavir may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known whether external-beam radiation therapy is more effective with or without indinavir and ritonavir in treating patients with brain metastases.
PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying external-beam radiation therapy alone to see how well it works compared to external-beam radiation therapy given together with indinavir and ritonavir in treating patients with brain metastases.