3-AP and Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Persistent Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Epithelial or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Inclusion criteria

* Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal cancer * 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 * Outside a previously irradiated field * Received 1 prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen (e.g., carboplatin, cisplatin, or other organoplatinum compound) for primary disease * Initial treatment may have included high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy after surgical or non-surgical assessment * Considered platinum resistant or refractory, according to 1 of the following criteria: * Treatment-free interval of less than 6 months after platinum-based therapy * Disease progression during platinum-based therapy * Ineligible for any higher priority GOG protocol * Performance status - GOG 0-2 (for patients who received 1 prior treatment regimen) * Performance status - GOG 0-1 (for patients who received 2 prior treatment regimens) * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 * SGOT and SGPT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN * No serious cardiac disease * No prior myocardial infarction * No uncontrolled congestive heart failure * No pulmonary disease requiring oxygen * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Neuropathy (sensory and motor) ≤ grade 1 * No active infections requiring antibiotics * No hearing impairment * No known G6PD deficiency * No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer * At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic agents for malignant tumor * One prior non-cytotoxic regimen (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, or small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction) allowed * See Disease Characteristics * One prior paclitaxel-containing regimen allowed * No prior 3-AP * No other prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease, including retreatment with initial chemotherapy regimens * Recovered from prior chemotherapy * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for malignant tumor * Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed * No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of marrow-bearing areas * Recovered from prior radiotherapy * Recovered from prior surgery * No prior cancer therapy that contraindicates receiving study therapy