3-AP and Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Persistent Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Epithelial or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal cancer

  * Recurrent or persistent disease
* At least 1 unidimensionally measurable target lesion

  * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  * Outside a previously irradiated field
* Received 1 prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen (e.g., carboplatin, cisplatin, or other organoplatinum compound) for primary disease

  * Initial treatment may have included high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy after surgical or non-surgical assessment
* Considered platinum resistant or refractory, according to 1 of the following criteria:

  * Treatment-free interval of less than 6 months after platinum-based therapy
  * Disease progression during platinum-based therapy
* Ineligible for any higher priority GOG protocol
* Performance status - GOG 0-2 (for patients who received 1 prior treatment regimen)
* Performance status - GOG 0-1 (for patients who received 2 prior treatment regimens)
* Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
* SGOT and SGPT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN
* Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN
* No serious cardiac disease
* No prior myocardial infarction
* No uncontrolled congestive heart failure
* No pulmonary disease requiring oxygen
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* Neuropathy (sensory and motor) ≤ grade 1
* No active infections requiring antibiotics
* No hearing impairment
* No known G6PD deficiency
* No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
* At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic agents for malignant tumor
* One prior non-cytotoxic regimen (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, or small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction) allowed
* See Disease Characteristics
* One prior paclitaxel-containing regimen allowed
* No prior 3-AP
* No other prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease, including retreatment with initial chemotherapy regimens
* Recovered from prior chemotherapy
* At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for malignant tumor
* Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed
* No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of marrow-bearing areas
* Recovered from prior radiotherapy
* Recovered from prior surgery
* No prior cancer therapy that contraindicates receiving study therapy