DHA-Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate Progressive metastatic disease on continuous hormonal therapy (e.g., orchiectomy or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist) Progressive disease is defined by all of the following: Measurable disease or lesions on bone scan Increases in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels on at least 2 consecutive measurements Continued PSA elevation after cessation of prior antiandrogen therapy (4 weeks after flutamide and nilutamide and 8 weeks after bicalutamide) PSA level at least 5 ng/mL Serum testosterone level less than 50 ng/mL Patients who have not undergone prior surgical castration should continue primary androgen suppression (LHRH agonist) No known or clinical evidence of CNS metastasis PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT or SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmia No myocardial infarction within the past 3 months No superior vena cava syndrome Neurologic: No peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 1 No uncontrolled major seizure disorder No spinal cord compression Other: No psychiatric disorder that would preclude informed consent No unstable or serious concurrent medical condition No concurrent serious infection requiring parenteral therapy No other prior or concurrent malignancy except: Curatively treated nonmelanoma skin cancer OR Other cancer curatively treated with surgery alone that has not recurred for more than 5 years Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 6 months after study therapy PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: No prior taxanes Prior mitoxantrone or prednisone for metastatic disease allowed At least 28 days since prior chemotherapy and recovered No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: No prior samarium SM 153 lexidronam pentasodium or strontium chloride Sr 89 Prior external radiotherapy for metastatic disease allowed At least 28 days since prior large-field radiotherapy and recovered No concurrent radiotherapy, including whole-brain radiotherapy for documented CNS metastasis Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 14 days since prior major surgery and recovered Other: No other prior nonhormonal treatment for metastatic disease At least 28 days since prior herbal preparations (e.g., PC-SPES) and recovered No other concurrent anticancer medications