AMG 706 in Treating Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Ovarian Epithelial Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma * Recurrent or persistent disease * Measurable disease, defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension (longest dimension to be recorded) as ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques or as ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Must have at least one "target lesion" that can be used to assess response, as defined by RECIST criteria * Tumors within a previously irradiated field will be designated as "non-target" lesions unless progression is documented OR a biopsy is obtained to confirm persistent disease ≥ 90 days following completion of radiotherapy * Must have received one prior platinum-based chemotherapeutic regimen containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound for management of primary disease * Initial treatment may have included high-dose therapy, consolidation therapy, or extended therapy administered after surgical or non-surgical assessment * One additional cytotoxic regimen for management of recurrent or persistent disease allowed * Patients must have a platinum-free interval of \< 12 months, have progressed during platinum-based therapy, or have persistent disease after a platinum-based therapy * Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol * No pleural effusion or ascites causing grade 2 or greater dyspnea * No history of uncontrolled CNS metastases * Patients with a history of CNS metastases must have their disease controlled by radiotherapy and/or surgery; have at least two imaging scans following treatment (that were no less than 30 days apart) showing no progression of any lesions and no new lesions; and be clinically stable off corticosteroids for ≥ 14 days prior to study randomization PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * GOG performance status (PS) 0-2\* NOTE: \*Patients who have received 2 prior regimen must have a GOG PS of 0-2 and patients who have received 2 prior regimens must have a GOG PS of 0-1 * ANC ≥ 1,500/mm³ * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³ * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Urine protein \< 30 mg/dL by urinalyses or ≤ 1+ by urine dipstick (unless quantitative protein is \< 500 mg by 24-hour urine collection) * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN (\< 3 times ULN in patients with UGT1A1 promoter polymorphism \[i.e., Gilbert syndrome\] confirmed by genotyping or Invader® UGT1A1 Molecular Assay) * AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases are present) * Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver or bone metastases are present) * PTT normal * INR ≤ 1.5 times ULN * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Able to swallow oral medications * Cardiac ejection fraction normal * No sensory and motor neuropathy \> grade 2 * No other invasive malignancies within the past 5 years, except nonmelanoma skin cancer or other specific malignancies * No bleeding diathesis or hypercoagulopathy within the past 14 days * No arterial or venous thrombosis within the past 12 months * None of the following within the past 12 months: * Myocardial infarction * Cerebrovascular accident * Transient ischemic attack * Grade 2 or greater peripheral vascular disease * Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/stent * Congestive heart failure * Ongoing arrhythmias requiring medication * Unstable angina * No average systolic blood pressure ≥ 150 mm Hg and average diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg * Patients with hypertension that is stable on a current dose of anti-hypertensives are eligible * No history of impaired cardiac status (e.g., severe heart disease, cardiomyopathy, or congestive heart failure) * No psychiatric, addictive, or other kind of disorder that would compromise the ability of the patient to give written informed consent * No open wounds, ulcers, or fractures * No active infection requiring antibiotics (with the exception of uncomplicated UTI) * No known HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C positivity * No known hypersensitivity to AMG 706 PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * Recovered form prior surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for the malignant tumor * Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed * At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy directed at the malignant tumor, including biologic or immunologic agents (i.e., small molecules or murine monoclonal antibodies) * At least 12 weeks since prior chimeric, human, or humanized monoclonal antibodies * More than 30 days since prior investigational therapy * More than 12 weeks since prior bevacizumab * More than 30 days since prior VEGFR-targeted therapy, including, but not limited to, any of the following: * SU5416 * SU6668 * Sunitinib malate * Vandetanib * Vatalanib * AZD2171 * AEE 788 * Sorafenib * More than 28 days since prior major surgery * More than 14 days since prior minor surgery, including open breast biopsy * More than 7 days since prior core needle biopsy or placement of a central venous access device (including portion, tunneled, or non-tunneled catheters) * No prior cancer treatment that would contraindicate study therapy * No prior therapy AMG 706 * No prior chemotherapy for any abdominal or pelvic tumor other than for the treatment of ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer * Prior adjuvant chemotherapy for localized breast cancer allowed provided it was completed \> 3 years ago, and the patient remains free of recurrent or metastatic disease * No prior non-cytotoxic chemotherapy for management of recurrent or persistent disease * No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis other than for the treatment of ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer * Prior radiotherapy for localized cancer of the breast, head and neck, or skin allowed provided it was completed \> 3 years ago, and the patient remains free of recurrent or metastatic disease * No concurrent coumadin-type anticoagulants, including warfarin, at doses \> 1 mg/day * Concurrent low molecular weight heparin or low dose warfarin (i.e., ≤ 1 mg daily) for prophylaxis against central venous catheter thrombosis is allowed * No other concurrent investigational or antineoplastic agents