AMG 706 in Treating Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Ovarian Epithelial Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma

  * Recurrent or persistent disease
* Measurable disease, defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension (longest dimension to be recorded) as ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques or as ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan

  * Must have at least one "target lesion" that can be used to assess response, as defined by RECIST criteria

    * Tumors within a previously irradiated field will be designated as "non-target" lesions unless progression is documented OR a biopsy is obtained to confirm persistent disease ≥ 90 days following completion of radiotherapy
* Must have received one prior platinum-based chemotherapeutic regimen containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound for management of primary disease

  * Initial treatment may have included high-dose therapy, consolidation therapy, or extended therapy administered after surgical or non-surgical assessment
  * One additional cytotoxic regimen for management of recurrent or persistent disease allowed
  * Patients must have a platinum-free interval of \< 12 months, have progressed during platinum-based therapy, or have persistent disease after a platinum-based therapy
* Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol
* No pleural effusion or ascites causing grade 2 or greater dyspnea
* No history of uncontrolled CNS metastases

  * Patients with a history of CNS metastases must have their disease controlled by radiotherapy and/or surgery; have at least two imaging scans following treatment (that were no less than 30 days apart) showing no progression of any lesions and no new lesions; and be clinically stable off corticosteroids for ≥ 14 days prior to study randomization

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* GOG performance status (PS) 0-2\* NOTE: \*Patients who have received 2 prior regimen must have a GOG PS of 0-2 and patients who have received 2 prior regimens must have a GOG PS of 0-1
* ANC ≥ 1,500/mm³
* Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³
* Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Urine protein \< 30 mg/dL by urinalyses or ≤ 1+ by urine dipstick (unless quantitative protein is \< 500 mg by 24-hour urine collection)
* Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN (\< 3 times ULN in patients with UGT1A1 promoter polymorphism \[i.e., Gilbert syndrome\] confirmed by genotyping or Invader® UGT1A1 Molecular Assay)
* AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases are present)
* Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver or bone metastases are present)
* PTT normal
* INR ≤ 1.5 times ULN
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* Able to swallow oral medications
* Cardiac ejection fraction normal
* No sensory and motor neuropathy \> grade 2
* No other invasive malignancies within the past 5 years, except nonmelanoma skin cancer or other specific malignancies
* No bleeding diathesis or hypercoagulopathy within the past 14 days
* No arterial or venous thrombosis within the past 12 months
* None of the following within the past 12 months:

  * Myocardial infarction
  * Cerebrovascular accident
  * Transient ischemic attack
  * Grade 2 or greater peripheral vascular disease
  * Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/stent
  * Congestive heart failure
  * Ongoing arrhythmias requiring medication
  * Unstable angina
* No average systolic blood pressure ≥ 150 mm Hg and average diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg

  * Patients with hypertension that is stable on a current dose of anti-hypertensives are eligible
* No history of impaired cardiac status (e.g., severe heart disease, cardiomyopathy, or congestive heart failure)
* No psychiatric, addictive, or other kind of disorder that would compromise the ability of the patient to give written informed consent
* No open wounds, ulcers, or fractures
* No active infection requiring antibiotics (with the exception of uncomplicated UTI)
* No known HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C positivity
* No known hypersensitivity to AMG 706

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* See Disease Characteristics
* Recovered form prior surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy
* At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for the malignant tumor

  * Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed
* At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy directed at the malignant tumor, including biologic or immunologic agents (i.e., small molecules or murine monoclonal antibodies)
* At least 12 weeks since prior chimeric, human, or humanized monoclonal antibodies
* More than 30 days since prior investigational therapy
* More than 12 weeks since prior bevacizumab
* More than 30 days since prior VEGFR-targeted therapy, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

  * SU5416
  * SU6668
  * Sunitinib malate
  * Vandetanib
  * Vatalanib
  * AZD2171
  * AEE 788
  * Sorafenib
* More than 28 days since prior major surgery
* More than 14 days since prior minor surgery, including open breast biopsy
* More than 7 days since prior core needle biopsy or placement of a central venous access device (including portion, tunneled, or non-tunneled catheters)
* No prior cancer treatment that would contraindicate study therapy
* No prior therapy AMG 706
* No prior chemotherapy for any abdominal or pelvic tumor other than for the treatment of ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer

  * Prior adjuvant chemotherapy for localized breast cancer allowed provided it was completed \> 3 years ago, and the patient remains free of recurrent or metastatic disease
* No prior non-cytotoxic chemotherapy for management of recurrent or persistent disease
* No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis other than for the treatment of ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer

  * Prior radiotherapy for localized cancer of the breast, head and neck, or skin allowed provided it was completed \> 3 years ago, and the patient remains free of recurrent or metastatic disease
* No concurrent coumadin-type anticoagulants, including warfarin, at doses \> 1 mg/day

  * Concurrent low molecular weight heparin or low dose warfarin (i.e., ≤ 1 mg daily) for prophylaxis against central venous catheter thrombosis is allowed
* No other concurrent investigational or antineoplastic agents