Phase II Evaluation of Oxaliplatin in the Treatment of Recurrent or Persistent Endometrial Carcinoma

Study start date: November 1, 1999

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed endometrial carcinoma that is refractory to curative therapy or established treatment * Clinically and/or histologically confirmed persistent or recurrent disease * Measurable disease by physical examination or medical imaging * Sonography allowed if lesions are clearly defined on initial examination and bidimensionally measurable * Ascites or pleural effusions not considered measurable * Must have received 1 prior cytotoxic therapy regimen * May include high-dose therapy, consolidation, or extended therapy after surgical or nonsurgical assessment * 1 additional noncytotoxic regimen allowed * Biologic or cytostatic agents include, but are not limited to: * Monoclonal antibodies * Cytokines * Small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction * Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol * No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * GOG 0-2 if received 1 prior therapy regimen * GOG 0-1 if received 2 prior therapy regimens Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular * No symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, or cardiac arrhythmia Neurologic * No sensory or motor neuropathy greater than grade 1 * No residual neuropathy attributed to prior chemotherapy or other chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, venous stasis, or carpal tunnel syndrome) Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No history of allergy to platinum compounds or antiemetics * No active infection requiring antibiotics * No other uncontrolled illness * No other invasive malignancies within the past 5 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 14 days since prior pegfilgrastim * At least 24 hours since other prior growth factors * At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic therapy * No concurrent growth factors during first course of study therapy Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered * No more than 1 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen, either single or combination cytotoxic drug therapy * No prior oxaliplatin Endocrine therapy * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at tumor * Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed Radiotherapy * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery * Recovered from any recent surgery Other * At least 3 weeks since prior therapy for endometrial cancer * No other concurrent investigational agents * No prior anticancer therapy that would preclude study participation