Nitrocamptothecin in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Ovarian Epithelial or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed recurrent or metastatic ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal cancer
• Measurable disease
• * Ascites and pleural effusions are not considered measurable
• * Sonography allowed if bidimensionally measurable
• Must not be eligible for higher priority GOG protocol
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• Not specified
• Performance status:
• GOG 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times ULN
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL
• Other:
• No other prior or concurrent invasive malignancy in the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
• No active infection
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• At least but no more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound combined with paclitaxel
• Second line therapy may include any agents except topoisomerase I inhibitors (i.e., topotecan)
• No prior nitrocamptothecin or topoisomerase I inhibitors
• At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered
• Endocrine therapy:
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy:
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• Surgery:
• At least 3 weeks since prior surgery and recovered
• Other:
• No prior cancer therapy that contraindicates this study