Ixabepilone in Treating Patients With Advanced Cisplatin-Refractory Germ Cell Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed germ cell tumor (GCT) (seminoma or non-seminoma) meeting the following criteria: Measurable metastatic disease by one of the following methods: Radiography If eligibility is defined by measurable disease only, there must be at least 1 site that has not been previously irradiated Alpha-fetoprotein greater than 15 ng/mL and/or ß-human chorionic gonadotropin greater than 2.2 mIU/L Previously treated progressive disease meeting 1 of the following criteria: Not a candidate for potentially curative therapy OR has already received high-dose chemotherapy regimens (prior paclitaxel allowed) Deemed to be cisplatin-refractory after prior cisplatin-based regimen AND does not want to have potentially curative high-dose therapy (mediastinal or primary refractory GCT) Prior treatment with 1 cisplatin-based regimen (primary mediastinal nonseminomatous GCT) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 16 and over Performance status Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal SGOT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal Renal Creatinine no greater than 2.2 mg/dL Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test No active infection PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy See Disease Characteristics No other concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy See Disease Characteristics No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery Not specified Other No other concurrent experimental or commercial anticancer medications or therapies