The objectives of this study are to determine the response rate to 9-AC in patients with advanced ovarian cancer who have recurrent disease after paclitaxel- and cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens.

This is a Phase II study of 9-aminocamptothecin (9-AC), administered as an intravenous continuous infusion over 72 hours with G-CSF support for patients with advanced refractory ovarian cancer. The objectives of the present study are to determine the response rate to 9-AC in patients with advanced ovarian cancer who have recurrent disease after paclitaxel- and cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically proven, advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

Histologic confirmation by Pathology Department, NIH, required.

Recurrent disease after paclitaxel and either cisplatin or carboplatin. Combination platinum/paclitaxel acceptable.

Bidimensionally measurable disease on physical exam, radiographs, or peritoneoscopy. Repeat peritoneoscopy after 8 courses of therapy required if documentation of disease was solely by peritoneoscopy.

Laparotomy not required.

No CNS metastasis.

No borderline or mixed histology.

PRIOR/CONCURRENT THERAPY:

See Disease Characteristics.

More than 4 weeks since any prior therapy and recovered.

No prior camptothecin analogue-based chemotherapy.

No prior radiotherapy except intraperitoneal 32-P.

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age: 18 and over.

Performance status: ECOG 0-2.

Hematopoietic:

WBC greater than 3,000.

AGC greater than 1,500.

Platelets at least 100,000.

Hemoglobin greater than 9 g/dL OR;

Hematocrit greater than 27 g/dL.

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL.

Serum transaminases no greater than 2 times normal.

Renal:

24-hour creatinine clearance greater than 45 mL/min (documented by NCI investigator or primary care physician).

Cardiovascular:

No myocardial infarction within 12 months.

No active congestive heart failure.

No heart block.

No arrhythmia requiring medication.

OTHER:

No active uncontrolled infection.

No known HIV positivity.

No second malignancy currently under treatment except: Local basal cell carcinoma of the skin, Cervical carcinoma in situ, Other malignancies (e.g., stage I breast cancer) eligible at the discretion of the principal or associate investigators.

No pregnant women.