FR901228 in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Advanced Ovarian Epithelial Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed ovarian epithelial carcinoma * Advanced disease * Relapsed after OR refractory to 1, and only 1, prior platinum- or taxane-based regimen * Refractory disease defined as disease progression during platinum- or taxane-based therapy * Relapsed disease defined as platinum or taxane resistant or sensitive * Platinum or taxane resistance defined as relapse within 6 months after prior platinum or taxane therapy * Platinum or taxane sensitivity defined as relapse \> 6 months from the last platinum or taxane treatment * Measurable or evaluable disease * Measurable disease defined as at least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Evaluable disease determined by elevation in CA 125 (≥ 2 times upper limit of normal \[ULN\]), ascites, or pleural effusion * No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * SWOG 0-2 OR * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy * At least 24 weeks Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 * WBC ≥ 3,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times ULN * Bilirubin normal Renal * Creatinine normal OR * Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min Cardiovascular * QTc \< 500 msec * LVEF \> 40% by MUGA * No significant cardiac disease * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable or poorly controlled angina pectoris * No uncontrolled dysrhythmias * No New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure * No myocardial infarction within the past year * No prior serious ventricular arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation ≥ 3 beats in a row) * No left ventricular hypertrophy by EKG Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Potassium ≥ 4.0 mmol/L * Magnesium ≥ 2.0 mg/dL * No prior allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to FR901228 (depsipeptide) * No concurrent uncontrolled illness * No active or ongoing infection * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * No concurrent biologic agents Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered * No prior FR901228 (depsipeptide) * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery * Prior surgical resection allowed Other * No concurrent drugs known to have HDI activity (e.g., sodium valproate) * No concurrent agents that cause QTc prolongation * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients * No concurrent hydrochlorothiazide * No other concurrent investigational agents * No other concurrent anticancer therapy