GM-CSF in Treating Patients With Relapsed Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate
• Non-metastatic, recurrent systemic disease as manifested by a rising PSA, defined as ≥ 2 consecutive rises in PSA to be documented over a reference value (measure 1)
• The first rising PSA (measure 2) should be at taken ≥ 14 days after the reference value
• A third confirmatory PSA measure is required (second beyond the reference level) to be greater than the second, and it must be obtained ≥ 14 days after the second measure
• If this is not the case, a fourth PSA is required to be taken and be greater than the second measure
• No local-only relapse
• Must have undergone prior definitive therapy for prostate cancer consisting of external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy (with or without external beam radiotherapy), or radical prostatectomy (with or without adjuvant androgen ablation)
• Patients who have not undergone definitive therapy as above or who have undergone hormonal therapy alone are not eligible
• No evidence of metastases on bone or CT scan

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status 0-1
• Leukocytes ≥ 3,000/μl
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/μl
• Platelets ≥ 100,000/μl
• Total bilirubin normal
• AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN
• No active thrombophlebitis or disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
• No history of pulmonary embolus
• No history of immunodeficiency or autoimmune diseases
• No uncontrolled intercurrent illness, including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior systemic chemotherapy for any reason
• No concurrent anticoagulation therapy (i.e., therapeutic coumadin)
• Prophylactic anticoagulation (e.g., aspirin) allowed
• No concurrent systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressives
• Inhaled or topical steroids allowed