Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Persistent or recurrent squamous or nonsquamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with
documented disease progression

- Histologic confirmation of the original primary tumor

- Measurable disease, defined as at least one target lesion that can be accurately
measured in at least one dimension ≥ 20 mm when measured by conventional techniques,
including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan , or MRI, or ≥ 10 mm when measured by
spiral CT scan

- Tumors within a previously irradiated field will be designated as nontarget
lesions unless progression is documented or a biopsy is obtained to confirm
persistence at least 90 days after completion of radiotherapy

- Must have received 1 prior systemic chemotherapeutic regimen for management of
advanced, metastatic, or recurrent squamous or nonsquamous cell carcinoma of the
cervix

- Chemotherapy administered as a radiosensitizer is not a systemic chemotherapy
regimen

- Not eligible for a higher priority GOG protocol

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- GOG performance status 0, 1, or 2

- No active infection requiring antibiotics

- Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

- Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3

- Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN

- SGOT and alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN

- No neuropathy (sensory and motor) > grade 1

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No evidence of any other invasive malignancies within the past 3-5 years, except
localized breast cancer, head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, or nonmelanoma skin
cancer

- No pre-existing hearing loss/tinnitus > grade 1

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- See Disease Characteristics

- Recovered from effects of prior surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy

- Hormonal therapy directed at malignant tumor must be discontinued at least 1 week
prior to study entry

- Continuation of hormone replacement therapy permitted

- At least 3 weeks since prior biological therapy and immunotherapy

- No more than 1 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen (either with single or
combination cytotoxic drug therapy)

- May have received 1 additional noncytotoxic (biologic or cytostatic) regimen,
including monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, or small-molecule inhibitors of
signal transduction

- No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis

- Radiotherapy for the treatment of cervical cancer within the past 5 years
allowed

- Radiotherapy for localized breast cancer, head and neck or skin allowed provided
completion > 3 years prior to study entry and remains free of recurrent or
metastatic disease

- No prior chemotherapy for any abdominal or pelvic tumor

- Chemotherapy for the treatment of cervical cancer within the past 5 years
allowed

- Prior adjuvant chemotherapy for localized breast cancer provided completion > 3
years prior to study entry and remains free of recurrent or metastatic disease

- No prior therapy with ABI-007 or any other taxane

- No prior anticancer treatment that would preclude study therapy

- No concurrent ritonavir, saquinavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, or anticonvulsants

- No concurrent amifostine or other protective agents