Epirubicin and Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate Meets 1 of the following criteria: Measurable disease with any prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value Unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan Histologic confirmation required if measurable disease is confined to a solitary lesion Non-measurable disease with PSA ≥ 5 ng/mL* The following are considered non-measurable disease: Bone lesions Pleural or pericardial effusion Ascites CNS lesions Leptomeningeal disease Irradiated lesions unless disease progression was documented after prior radiotherapy NOTE: *Patients with PSA ≥ 5 ng/mL only are not eligible Progressive systemic disease despite ≥ 1 prior standard endocrine therapy with orchiectomy, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist, or diethylstilbestrol, as indicated by 1 of the following criteria: Objective evidence of increase > 20% in the sum of the longest diameters of target lesions from the time of maximal regression OR the appearance of 1 or more new lesions One or more new lesions on bone scan secondary to prostate cancer AND PSA ≥ 5 ng/mL Elevated PSA (≥ 5 ng/mL) with 2 consecutive increases from baseline (taken ≥ 1 week apart) Serum testosterone ≤ 50 ng/dL for patients without bilateral orchiectomy Patients who have not had a bilateral orchiectomy should continue therapy with primary testicular androgen suppression (e.g., LHRH analogues) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic Meets 1 of the following criteria: AST or ALT normal AND alkaline phosphatase ≤ 5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST or ALT ≤ 1.5 times ULN AND alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN AST or ALT ≤ 5 times ULN AND alkaline phosphatase normal Bilirubin normal Renal Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular No uncontrolled high blood pressure No unstable angina No symptomatic congestive heart failure No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No serious uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Other Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 3 months after study participation No peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2 No prior severe hypersensitivity reaction to docetaxel or other drug formulated with polysorbate 80 PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) or sargramostim (GM-CSF) Chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy, including estramustine or suramin for prostate cancer No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior antiandrogen therapy No concurrent hormonal therapy except steroids for adrenal insufficiency, hormones for non-disease-related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes), or intermittent dexamethasone as an antiemetic Radiotherapy See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy At least 8 weeks since prior strontium chloride Sr 89 or samarium Sm 153 lexidronam pentasodium No concurrent palliative radiotherapy Surgery See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior surgery and recovered