Ixabepilone in Treating Patients With Relapsed and/or Refractory Stage III or Stage IV Ovarian Epithelial or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Inclusion criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage III or IV ovarian epithelial cancer or primary peritoneal carcinoma * Recurrent or refractory disease * Previously treated with 1, and only 1, prior chemotherapy regimen containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound and paclitaxel or docetaxel * Initial treatment may include high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy administered after surgical or non-surgical assessment * Bidimensionally measurable disease by physical exam, CT scan, or MRI * Ascites and pleural effusions are not measurable disease * No prior irradiation to indicator lesions PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 to 75 Performance status * GOG 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * No prior bleeding disorder or unexplained bleeding Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT/SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other * No active infection requiring antibiotics * No grade 2 or greater neuropathy (sensory and motor) * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer * No prior recurrent grade 2 or greater hypersensitivity reactions to Cremophor EL, docetaxel, or paclitaxel * No other medical condition that would preclude study participation * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic therapy for ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal carcinoma Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered * No prior ixabepilone * No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy (including retreatment with initial chemotherapy regimens) for recurrent or persistent ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal carcinoma Endocrine therapy * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal carcinoma * Concurrent hormonal replacement therapy allowed Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * No prior radiotherapy to a site of measurable disease used on study * No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of bone marrow Surgery * See Disease Characteristics * Recovered from prior surgery Other * At least 3 weeks since other prior therapies for ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal carcinoma * No prior cancer treatment for other invasive malignancies that would preclude study participation * No concurrent heparin or other anticoagulants * No concurrent Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) or any product containing this compound