Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer That Has Not Responded to Hormone Therapy

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IV hormone refractory adenocarcinoma of the prostate
• Progressive disease despite hormonal therapy or orchiectomy
• No brain metastases
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 to 80
• Performance status:
• WHO 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• At least 3 months
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm\^3
• Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm\^3
• Hemoglobin greater than 9 g/dL
• Hepatic:
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (unless bone metastasis)
• Bilirubin less than 2 times ULN
• Renal:
• Creatinine less than 2 times ULN
• Cardiovascular:
• Adequate cardiac function
• Other:
• No other prior malignancy except curatively treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• Prior corticosteroids allowed if started at least 8 weeks prior to study
• Radiotherapy:
• At least 8 weeks since prior extensive radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• See Disease Characteristics