Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Refractory or Resistant Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial carcinoma Platinum-refractory or resistant disease At least 1 prior non-platinum chemotherapy agent required Prior bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy required Bidimensionally measurable disease OR CA-125 greater than 100 units/mm3 PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: More than 3 months Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin normal AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN OR Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Other: No other prior malignancy except non-melanoma skin cancer unless curatively treated with no evidence of disease within the past 5 years and at low risk for recurrence No other clinical circumstances that would preclude study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy and recovered No prior thalidomide Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior cytotoxic therapy and recovered Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior hormonal therapy and recovered Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery