Imatinib Mesylate in Treating Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Ovarian Epithelial or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Inclusion criteria

* Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal carcinoma * Recurrent or persistent disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable target lesion * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Tumors within a previously irradiated field considered nontarget lesions * At least one prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen (containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound) for primary disease required * Initial treatment may include high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy * Initial treatment-free interval less than 12 months for patients who received only 1 prior platinum-based regimen * Initial treatment-free interval of more than 12 months allowed provided disease progression has occurred within 12 months after retreatment with a second-line platinum-based regimen * Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol (e.g., any active phase III GOG protocol for the same patient population) * Performance status - GOG 0-2 (if patient has received one prior treatment regimen) * Performance status - GOG 0-1 (if patient has received two prior treatment regimens) * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * 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 * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 3 months after study participation * No active infection requiring antibiotics * No greater than grade 1 sensory and motor neuropathy * No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer * No signs or symptoms of bowel dysfunction * At least 3 weeks since prior immunologic therapy directed at the malignant tumor * No concurrent biologic therapy or immunotherapy for the malignant tumor * Recovered from prior chemotherapy * No prior noncytotoxic chemotherapy for persistent or recurrent disease * One additional cytotoxic regimen for persistent or recurrent disease allowed * No concurrent chemotherapy for the malignant tumor * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at the malignant tumor * No concurrent therapeutic corticosteroids * No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy * Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed * Recovered from prior radiotherapy * No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of marrow-bearing areas * No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy * Recovered from recent prior surgery * At least 3 weeks since other prior therapies directed at the malignant tumor * No prior imatinib mesylate * No prior anticancer therapy that would preclude study participation * No concurrent therapeutic anticoagulation with warfarin * No other concurrent investigational drugs * No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents