FR901228 in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Advanced Ovarian Epithelial Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed ovarian epithelial carcinoma

  * Advanced disease
* Relapsed after OR refractory to 1, and only 1, prior platinum- or taxane-based regimen

  * Refractory disease defined as disease progression during platinum- or taxane-based therapy
  * Relapsed disease defined as platinum or taxane resistant or sensitive

    * Platinum or taxane resistance defined as relapse within 6 months after prior platinum or taxane therapy
    * Platinum or taxane sensitivity defined as relapse \> 6 months from the last platinum or taxane treatment
* Measurable or evaluable disease

  * Measurable disease defined as at least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  * Evaluable disease determined by elevation in CA 125 (≥ 2 times upper limit of normal \[ULN\]), ascites, or pleural effusion
* No known brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

* 18 and over

Performance status

* SWOG 0-2 OR
* Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy

* At least 24 weeks

Hematopoietic

* Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
* WBC ≥ 3,000/mm\^3

Hepatic

* AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times ULN
* Bilirubin normal

Renal

* Creatinine normal OR
* Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular

* QTc \< 500 msec
* LVEF \> 40% by MUGA
* No significant cardiac disease
* No symptomatic congestive heart failure
* No unstable or poorly controlled angina pectoris
* No uncontrolled dysrhythmias
* No New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure
* No myocardial infarction within the past year
* No prior serious ventricular arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation ≥ 3 beats in a row)
* No left ventricular hypertrophy by EKG

Other

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* Potassium ≥ 4.0 mmol/L
* Magnesium ≥ 2.0 mg/dL
* No prior allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to FR901228 (depsipeptide)
* No concurrent uncontrolled illness
* No active or ongoing infection
* No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

* No concurrent biologic agents

Chemotherapy

* See Disease Characteristics
* More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered
* No prior FR901228 (depsipeptide)
* No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

* Not specified

Radiotherapy

* More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
* No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery

* Prior surgical resection allowed

Other

* No concurrent drugs known to have HDI activity (e.g., sodium valproate)
* No concurrent agents that cause QTc prolongation
* No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients
* No concurrent hydrochlorothiazide
* No other concurrent investigational agents
* No other concurrent anticancer therapy