Flavopiridol in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Persistent Endometrial Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed primary endometrial carcinoma

  * Recurrent or persistent disease
  * Refractory to curative therapy or established treatment
* Previously treated with only 1 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen (either single agent or combination therapy) for endometrial carcinoma

  * Initial treatment may include high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy administered after surgical or non-surgical assessment
* At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

  * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
  * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  * At least 1 target lesion outside previously irradiated field
* Ineligible for higher priority Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) protocol, defined as any active GOG phase III protocol for the same patient population

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* Any age

Performance status:

* GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN
* Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN
* PT/PTT normal

Renal:

* Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Cardiovascular:

* No prior thromboembolic events or thrombophlebitis
* No prior recent myocardial infarction
* No prior angina
* No prior cerebrovascular accident
* No prior transient ischemic attacks

Other:

* No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
* No grade 2 or greater sensory or motor neuropathy
* No active infection requiring antibiotics

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic agents for endometrial carcinoma

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for endometrial carcinoma and recovered

Endocrine therapy:

* At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for endometrial carcinoma
* Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for endometrial carcinoma and recovered

Surgery:

* At least 3 weeks since prior surgery for endometrial carcinoma and recovered
* At least 6 months since prior re-vascularization procedures (e.g., coronary artery bypass graft, carotid endarterectomy or bypass, or angioplasty with or without stents)

Other:

* At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy for endometrial carcinoma
* At least 6 months since prior thrombolytic procedures
* No prior cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors
* No prior anticancer therapy that would preclude study
* No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents