DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed endometrial adenocarcinoma

  • Advanced, recurrent, or persistent disease
  • Refractory to curative therapy
• HER2/neu gene amplification by fluorescent in situ hybridization

• Measurable disease

  • Previously irradiated field as sole site of measurable disease allowed if evidence of progression since completion of radiotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

Renal:

• Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN

Cardiovascular:

• LVEF ≥ 45% by echocardiogram or MUGA
• History of coronary artery disease and/or congestive heart failure allowed if medical management of condition has been stable within the past 6 months
• No active or unstable cardiac disease
• No active angina
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months

Pulmonary:

• No requirement for supplemental oxygen at rest or with ambulation

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No active infection requiring antibiotics
• No uncontrolled infection
• No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
• No other unstable medical condition that would preclude study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 3 weeks since prior biologic and immunologic agents directed at the malignant tumor
• No prior anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody preparation
• No other concurrent immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

• Recovered from prior chemotherapy
• Multiple prior chemotherapy regimens allowed
• No more than 320 mg/m^2 total dose of prior doxorubicin allowed (including doxorubicin HCl liposome or other liposomally encapsulated doxorubicin preparations)
• No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at the malignant tumor

• No concurrent hormonal therapy

  • Continuation of hormone replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for the malignant tumor and recovered
• No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Recovered from prior recent surgery

Other

• At least 3 weeks since any prior therapy directed at the malignant tumor
• No prior cancer treatment that would contraindicate study therapy