Lurtotecan Liposome in Treating Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Ovarian Epithelial Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial cancer Primary fallopian or peritoneal cancer allowed Clinically and/or radiologically documented advanced and/or recurrent disease At least one site of disease unidimensionally measurable: Minimum indicator lesion site as follows: At least 10 mm on spiral CT scan At least 20 mm on conventional CT scan At least 20 mm on chest x-ray or physical exam No recent prior radiotherapy to indicator lesion(s) Clear disease progression or new lesion within a previously irradiated field allowed Previously treated with one or two chemotherapy regimens At least one regimen must have contained cisplatin or carboplatin (changing from one prior platinum compound to another for disease progression or failure to respond is considered a second regimen) Use of same prior chemotherapy combination for first-line and second-line therapy is considered two regimens No borderline ovarian tumor No ascites as only disease presentation No abdominal adenocarcinoma of unknown origin No symptomatic brain metastasis that are potentially life-threatening or require active treatment

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other: No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years unless definitively treated with no evidence of recurrence No known hypersensitivity to systemic liposomal formulations or drugs chemically related to study drug No other serious illness or medical condition that would preclude study No active uncontrolled infection No complete bowel obstruction No history of significant neurologic or psychiatric disorder that would preclude informed consent Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosourea) and recovered No prior topotecan or other topoisomerase-I inhibitor No other concurrent cytotoxic therapy for ovarian cancer Endocrine therapy: No concurrent hormonal therapy for ovarian cancer Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Recovered from prior radiotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy to area comprising at least 25% of bone marrow stores Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery and recovered Other: At least 30 days since prior investigational agent or new anticancer therapy No other concurrent investigational therapy