Trabectedin in Treating Patients With Advanced, Persistent, or Recurrent Leiomyosarcoma of the Uterus

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

   - Histologically confirmed uterine leiomyosarcoma

      - Histological confirmation of original primary tumor required

   - Advanced, persistent, or recurrent disease

      - Documented disease progression

   - Measurable disease, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by
   conventional techniques, including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, and MRI OR ≥ 10 mm
   by spiral CT scan

      - At least 1 target lesion

         - Tumors within a previously irradiated field are considered nontarget lesions
         unless progression is documented or a biopsy is obtained to confirm
         persistence at least 90 days following completion of radiotherapy

   - Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol (i.e., any active phase III GOG protocol
   for the same patient population)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

   - GOG performance status 0-2

   - Not pregnant or nursing

   - Negative pregnancy test

   - Fertile patients must use effective contraception

   - Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³

   - Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm³

   - Hemoglobin > 9.0 g/dL

   - Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

   - Bilirubin normal

   - AST ≤ 2.5 times ULN

   - Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 1.5 times ULN

   - CPK ≤ ULN

   - No active infection requiring antibiotics (except for patients with uncomplicated UTI)

   - No neuropathy (sensory or motor) > grade 1

   - No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except for nonmelanoma skin
   cancer

   - No known active liver disease or hepatitis

   - Must be willing/able to have a central venous catheter

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

   - See Disease Characteristics

   - Recovered from prior surgery, radiotherapy, or other therapy

   - No prior cancer treatment that would preclude study therapy

   - No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy or biologic therapy for uterine sarcoma

   - No prior chemotherapy for any abdominal or pelvic tumor within the past 5 years

      - Prior adjuvant chemotherapy for localized breast cancer is allowed provided it
      was completed more than 3 years ago and there is no evidence of recurrent or
      metastatic disease

   - No prior trabectedin

   - No prior radiotherapy within the past 5 years to any portion of the abdominal cavity
   or pelvis other than for treatment of uterine sarcoma

      - Prior radiotherapy for localized cancer of the breast, head and neck or skin is
      allowed, provided that it was completed more than 3 years ago and there is no
      evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease

   - At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for the malignancy (continuation of
   hormone replacement therapy is permitted)

   - No concurrent amifostine or other protective agents