GTI-2040, Docetaxel, and Prednisone in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of 1 of the following: Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate Metastatic carcinoma of presumptive prostate origin Bony metastases AND a serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level > 20 ng/mL Disease progression after prior hormonal therapy as defined by rising PSA levels At least 2 consecutive rises in PSA over a reference value, with measurements taken at least 7 days apart Prior hormonal therapy must include either medical (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone [LHRH] agonist) OR surgical (orchiectomy) castration Patients who received prior LHRH agonist must continue or re-start such therapy Castrate levels of testosterone < 50 ng/dL PSA ≥ 20 ng/mL No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 OR Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy More than 3 months Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 WBC ≥ 3,000/mm^3 Hepatic AST and ALT ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Bilirubin normal PTT ≤ 1.25 times upper limit of control INR ≤ 1.3 Renal Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN OR Creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min Cardiovascular No symptomatic congestive heart failure No unstable angina pectoris No cardiac arrhythmia Other Fertile patients must use effective contraception No symptomatic peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2 No history of allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to GTI-2040 or other study agents No concurrent uncontrolled illness No active or ongoing infection No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No concurrent prophylactic filgrastim (G-CSF) or epoetin alfa Chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy except monotherapy with oral estramustine At least 4 weeks since prior estramustine and recovered Endocrine therapy See Disease Characteristics At least 6 weeks since prior bicalutamide* At least 4 weeks since prior flutamide, nilutamide, or cyproterone* Concurrent steroids allowed NOTE: *Patients must have evidence of disease progression despite cessation of antiandrogen therapy Radiotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to > 25% of bone marrow No prior isotope therapy Surgery See Disease Characteristics Other No concurrent prophylactic antibiotics No concurrent anticoagulants Concurrent low-dose warfarin for prophylaxis of central line thrombosis allowed No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients No other concurrent investigational agents or therapies