ABI-007 in Treating Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Cervical Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Persistent or recurrent squamous or nonsquamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with documented disease progression * Histologic confirmation of the original primary tumor * Measurable disease, defined as at least one target lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension ≥ 20 mm when measured by conventional techniques, including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, or MRI, or ≥ 10 mm when measured by spiral CT scan * Tumors within a previously irradiated field will be designated as nontarget lesions unless progression is documented or a biopsy is obtained to confirm persistence at least 90 days after completion of radiotherapy * Must have received 1 prior systemic chemotherapeutic regimen for management of advanced, metastatic, or recurrent squamous or nonsquamous cell carcinoma of the cervix * Chemotherapy administered as a radiosensitizer is not a systemic chemotherapy regimen * Not eligible for a higher priority GOG protocol * GOG performance status 0, 1, or 2 * No active infection requiring antibiotics * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN * SGOT and alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN * No neuropathy (sensory and motor) \> grade 1 * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No evidence of any other invasive malignancies within the past 3-5 years, except localized breast cancer, head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, or nonmelanoma skin cancer * No pre-existing hearing loss/tinnitus \> grade 1 * No concurrent amifostine or other protective agents * Recovered from effects of prior surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy * Hormonal therapy directed at malignant tumor must be discontinued at least 1 week prior to study entry * Continuation of hormone replacement therapy permitted * At least 3 weeks since prior biological therapy and immunotherapy * No more than 1 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen (either with single or combination cytotoxic drug therapy) * May have received 1 additional noncytotoxic (biologic or cytostatic) regimen, including monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, or small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction * No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis * Radiotherapy for the treatment of cervical cancer within the past 5 years allowed * Radiotherapy for localized breast cancer, head and neck or skin allowed provided completion \> 3 years prior to study entry and remains free of recurrent or metastatic disease * No prior chemotherapy for any abdominal or pelvic tumor * Chemotherapy for the treatment of cervical cancer within the past 5 years allowed * Prior adjuvant chemotherapy for localized breast cancer provided completion \> 3 years prior to study entry and remains free of recurrent or metastatic disease * No prior therapy with ABI-007 or any other taxane * No prior anticancer treatment that would preclude study therapy * No concurrent ritonavir, saquinavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, or anticonvulsants