Ixabepilone and Liposomal Doxorubicin in Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of 1 of the following: advanced ovarian epithelial, primary peritoneal cavity, or fallopian tube cancer (phase I and II) or metastatic breast cancer (phase I only). * Platinum- and taxane-resistant disease, defined as a disease-free interval of \< 6 months after completion of platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. Disease progression during the regimen (phase II) or previously treated with \>= 2 prior regimens for metastatic breast cancer, including 1 taxane-based regimen in the adjuvant or metastatic setting (phase I). * Meets 1 of the following criteria: Previously treated with a standard course of taxane- and platinum-based chemotherapy for ovarian epithelial, primary peritoneal cavity, or fallopian tube cancer, that is platinum-refractory or -sensitive disease (phase I ); * Measurable or evaluable disease, meeting 1 of the following criteria: unidimensionally measurable lesion, known disease and CA 125 \> 50 U/mL on 2 occasions \>= 1 week apart or known disease and CA 27-29, CA 15-3, or CA 125 \> 50 U/mL on 2 occasions \>= 1 week apart (for breast cancer patients) * ECOG 0-2 or Karnofsky 60-100% * At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered. * At least 1 week since prior chemotherapy if given on a daily or weekly schedule and recovered. * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered. * Recovered for more than 4 weeks from all adverse events related to prior agents. * Normal organ function including: * Normal bilirubin * WBC \>= 3,000/mm3 * Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/mm3 * Platelet count \>= 100,000/mm3 * AST and ALT =\< 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Creatinine =\< 1.5 times ULN or Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min Exclusion criteria: * No other concurrent investigational agents. * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients. * No other concurrent anticancer therapy. * Has received a previous chemotherapy regimen for this cancer that included drugs such as docetaxel or paclitaxel. * Life expectancy of more than 3 months * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No history of allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to Cremophor® or study drugs * No neuropathy \>= grade 2 * No ongoing or active infection * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance. * No other uncontrolled illness. * No active brain metastases, including any of the following: evidence of cerebral edema by CT scan or MRI, evidence of disease progression on prior imaging studies, requirement for steroids or clinical symptoms of brain metastasis.