Trabectedin in Treating Patients With Advanced, Persistent, or Recurrent Leiomyosarcoma of the Uterus

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed uterine leiomyosarcoma * Histological confirmation of original primary tumor required * Advanced, persistent, or recurrent disease * Documented disease progression * Measurable disease, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques, including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, and MRI OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan * At least 1 target lesion * Tumors within a previously irradiated field are considered nontarget lesions unless progression is documented or a biopsy is obtained to confirm persistence at least 90 days following completion of radiotherapy * Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol (i.e., any active phase III GOG protocol for the same patient population) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * GOG performance status 0-2 * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³ * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm³ * Hemoglobin \> 9.0 g/dL * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Bilirubin normal * AST ≤ 2.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 1.5 times ULN * CPK ≤ ULN * No active infection requiring antibiotics (except for patients with uncomplicated UTI) * No neuropathy (sensory or motor) \> grade 1 * No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except for nonmelanoma skin cancer * No known active liver disease or hepatitis * Must be willing/able to have a central venous catheter PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * Recovered from prior surgery, radiotherapy, or other therapy * No prior cancer treatment that would preclude study therapy * No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy or biologic therapy for uterine sarcoma * No prior chemotherapy for any abdominal or pelvic tumor within the past 5 years * Prior adjuvant chemotherapy for localized breast cancer is allowed provided it was completed more than 3 years ago and there is no evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease * No prior trabectedin * No prior radiotherapy within the past 5 years to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis other than for treatment of uterine sarcoma * Prior radiotherapy for localized cancer of the breast, head and neck or skin is allowed, provided that it was completed more than 3 years ago and there is no evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for the malignancy (continuation of hormone replacement therapy is permitted) * No concurrent amifostine or other protective agents