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