FR901228 in Treating Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer * Metastatic disease * Measurable disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan * The following are not considered measurable disease: * Bone disease only * Pleural effusion * Peritoneal effusion * Must have received prior anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) and/or taxane (paclitaxel or docetaxel) as adjuvant therapy or for advanced disease * Therapy with high-dose regimens or bone marrow transplantation is considered 1 prior regimen * No known brain metastases * Hormone receptor status: * Not specified * Male or female * Performance status - ECOG 0-1 * Performance status - Karnofsky 70-100% * More than 12 weeks * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * WBC ≥ 3,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 * Bilirubin normal * AST or ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Creatinine normal * Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min * QTc \< 500 msec * No New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure * No myocardial infarction within the past year * No uncontrolled dysrhythmia * No poorly controlled angina * No other significant cardiac disease * No history of serious ventricular arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation ≥ 3 beats in a row) * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No history of allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to FR901228 * No active or ongoing infection * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance * No other uncontrolled illness * No concurrent biologic agents * No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease * More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered * No prior FR901228 (depsipeptide) * No other concurrent chemotherapy * Prior hormonal therapy for metastatic disease or as adjuvant therapy allowed * More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * No concurrent radiotherapy * More than 2 weeks since prior minor surgery and recovered * More than 4 weeks since prior major surgery and recovered * Concurrent bisphosphonates allowed provided therapy was initiated ≥ 3 months ago * No concurrent agents that cause QTc prolongation * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients * No concurrent drugs known to have histone deacetylase activity (e.g., valproic acid) * No other concurrent investigational agents * No other concurrent anticancer therapy