RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining more than one drug may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of combination chemotherapy consisting of gemcitabine and topotecan in treating patients with refractory or recurrent ovarian or fallopian tube cancer.
Lead Sponsor
Start Date
Completion Date
Study Type
Official Title
Age Range
Sex
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically documented refractory or recurrent ovarian epithelial or fallopian tube cancer * No borderline ovarian cancer * Extra-ovarian papillary serous tumors eligible * Must not be eligible for any higher priority phase II or III GOG protocol PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * GOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * SGOT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * Elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase allowed Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: * No angina pectoris or clinically significant multifocal uncontrolled cardiac dysrhythmias * No uncontrolled hypertension Other: * No other active malignancy * No prior malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer * No active infection * No underlying medical problem that would prevent compliance * No known hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived drug preparations * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * Must have received at least 1 prior platinum- and paclitaxel-based regimen * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy * No prior topotecan and/or gemcitabine * No prior chemotherapy for a different prior malignancy Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * No prior radiotherapy to more than 10% of bone marrow * At least 2 weeks since limited field radiation therapy Surgery: * Not specified