Ixabepilone in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Persistent Endometrial Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: Histologically confirmed endometrial adenocarcinoma Recurrent or persistent disease Histologic confirmation of the original primary tumor is required Not amenable to management with any of the following: Surgery Radiotherapy Higher priority or standard chemotherapy Measurable disease At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques (e.g., palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, or MRI) OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan At least 1 target lesion Tumors within a previously irradiated field are designated as non-target lesions Disease in an irradiated field as the only site of measurable disease is acceptable as a target lesion only if there has been clear progression of the lesion at least 90 days after completion of radiotherapy Received 1, and only 1, prior chemotherapy regimen (e.g., high-dose therapy, consolidation, or extended therapy administered after surgery or non-surgical assessment) for management of endometrial adenocarcinoma Ineligible for a higher priority Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) protocol (e.g., any active GOG phase III study for the same patient population) Performance status - GOG 0-2 Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST (aspartate aminotransferase) ≤ 2.5 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN Sensory or motor neuropathy ≤ grade 1 Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No active infection requiring antibiotics No other invasive malignancies within the past 5 years except non-melanoma skin cancer At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic agents directed at the malignant tumor One prior non-cytotoxic* (biologic or cytostatic) regimen for management of recurrent or persistent disease allowed See Disease Characteristics Prior paclitaxel or docetaxel allowed Recovered from prior chemotherapy No more than 1 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen (either single or combination drug therapy) No prior ixabepilone At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at the malignant tumor Continuation of hormone replacement therapy allowed See Disease Characteristics Recovered from prior radiotherapy Recovered from prior surgery At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy directed at the malignant tumor No prior cancer treatment that contraindicates study therapy