Ixabepilone and Liposomal Doxorubicin in Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of 1 of the following: advanced ovarian epithelial, primary peritoneal cavity, or fallopian tube cancer (phase I and II) or metastatic breast cancer (phase I only).
* Platinum- and taxane-resistant disease, defined as a disease-free interval of \< 6 months after completion of platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. Disease progression during the regimen (phase II) or previously treated with \>= 2 prior regimens for metastatic breast cancer, including 1 taxane-based regimen in the adjuvant or metastatic setting (phase I).
* Meets 1 of the following criteria: Previously treated with a standard course of taxane- and platinum-based chemotherapy for ovarian epithelial, primary peritoneal cavity, or fallopian tube cancer, that is platinum-refractory or -sensitive disease (phase I );
* Measurable or evaluable disease, meeting 1 of the following criteria: unidimensionally measurable lesion, known disease and CA 125 \> 50 U/mL on 2 occasions \>= 1 week apart or known disease and CA 27-29, CA 15-3, or CA 125 \> 50 U/mL on 2 occasions \>= 1 week apart (for breast cancer patients)
* ECOG 0-2 or Karnofsky 60-100%
* At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered.
* At least 1 week since prior chemotherapy if given on a daily or weekly schedule and recovered.
* At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered.
* Recovered for more than 4 weeks from all adverse events related to prior agents.
* Normal organ function including:
* Normal bilirubin
* WBC \>= 3,000/mm3
* Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/mm3
* Platelet count \>= 100,000/mm3
* AST and ALT =\< 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Creatinine =\< 1.5 times ULN or Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min

Exclusion criteria:

* No other concurrent investigational agents.
* No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients.
* No other concurrent anticancer therapy.
* Has received a previous chemotherapy regimen for this cancer that included drugs such as docetaxel or paclitaxel.
* Life expectancy of more than 3 months
* No symptomatic congestive heart failure
* No unstable angina pectoris
* No cardiac arrhythmia
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* No history of allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to Cremophor® or study drugs
* No neuropathy \>= grade 2
* No ongoing or active infection
* No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance.
* No other uncontrolled illness.
* No active brain metastases, including any of the following: evidence of cerebral edema by CT scan or MRI, evidence of disease progression on prior imaging studies, requirement for steroids or clinical symptoms of brain metastasis.