AZD0530 in Treating Patients With Recurrent Locally Advanced or Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Inclusion Criteria:

* Leukocytes \>= 3,000/mcL
* Histologically or cytologically confirmed soft tissue sarcoma including, but not limited to any of:

  * Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  * Fibrosarcoma - non infantile
  * Leiomyosarcoma - not uterine
  * Liposarcoma
  * Non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma
  * Rhabdomyosarcoma, not otherwise specified
  * Carcinosarcoma of the uterus
  * Dermatofibrosarcoma
  * Endometrial stromal sarcoma
  * Leiomyosarcoma - uterus
* Recurrent or locally advanced or metastatic disease

  * No more than two prior lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease (not including adjuvant chemotherapy)
* Measurable disease, defined as \>= 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion \>= 20 mm by conventional techniques or \>= 10 mm by spiral CT scan

  * Target measurable lesion must not have been in previous radiation portal, unless progression of this lesion after radiotherapy has been documented
* ECOG performance status (PS) 0-2 or Karnofsky PS 60-100%
* Life expectancy \> 12 weeks
* Recovered from all prior therapy
* Platelet count \>= 100,000/mcL
* Hemoglobin \> 9 g/dL
* Total bilirubin =\< 1.25 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* AST and ALT =\< 3 times ULN
* Creatinine =\< 1.5 times ULN OR creatinine clearance \>= 50 mL/min
* Urine protein:creatinine ratio =\< 1.0 OR 24-hour urine protein \< 1,000 mg
* ANC \>1,500/mcL
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 8 weeks after completion of study therapy
* No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to AZD0530
* No QTc prolongation (defined as a QTc interval \>= to 460 msecs) or other significant ECG abnormalities
* No poorly controlled hypertension (i.e., systolic blood pressure (BP) \>= 140 mm Hg, or diastolic BP \>= 90 mm Hg)
* No condition that impairs a patient's ability to swallow AZD0530 tablets, including any of the following:

  * Gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or a requirement for IV alimentation
  * Prior surgical procedures affecting absorption
  * Active peptic ulcer disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C)
* No intercurrent cardiac dysfunction including, but not limited to, any of the following:

  * Symptomatic congestive heart failure
  * Unstable angina pectoris
  * Cardiac arrhythmia
* No history of ischemic heart disease, including myocardial infarction
* No uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
* More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
* More than 7 days since prior and no concurrent prohibited CYP3A4-active agents or substances
* No other concurrent investigational agents or commercial agents or therapies
* No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients
* No known brain metastases