['To assess the efficacy and toxicity of the marine-derived alkaloid trabectedin (ET-743) in patients with advanced ovarian cancer refractory to or experiencing disease relapse after platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy.', 'Fifty-nine patients from four institutions either resistant (n = 30) or sensitive (n = 29) to prior platinum and taxanes were treated with a 3-hour infusion of trabectedin every 3 weeks. Patients were monitored weekly for toxicity and restaged every two cycles for response. Response was assessed according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Group.', 'The peer-reviewed objective response rate in platinum-sensitive patients was 43% (95% CI, 23% to 65%) with an estimated median time to progression of 7.9 months (95% CI, 7.5 to 14.1 months); in platinum-resistant patients two partial responses were observed. Responses were durable for up to 12.9 months (median, 5 months). The predominant toxicities at the recommended dose of 1,300 microg/m(2) were neutropenia, asthenia, and self-limited increase of aminotransferases never requiring treatment interruption.'] Does trabectedin for women with ovarian carcinoma after treatment with platinum and taxanes fail?